6 people are dead, including 3 children

 

A Plant City family is dead after their SUV was hit by a freight train going 55 MPH.

Sheriff Chad Chronister said Saturday night that the SUV flipped several times and violently ejected five people, including at three children.

It was later confirmed Sunday afternoon that the driver died at the Hospital.

The deceased victims have been identified as 52-year-old Jose G. Hernandez, and passengers, 50-year-old Enedelia Hernandez, 22-year-old Anaelia Hernandez, 17-year-old Jakub A. Lopez, 17-year-old Alyssa Hernandez, and nine-year-old Julian Hernandez.

Another passenger, 23-year-old Guillermo E. Gama III, is currently being treated at Lakeland Regional and is in critical condition.

Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) said the incident happened around 6:45 p.m. on Highway 92 and Jim Lefler Circle.

Chronister said the family was on their way to a quinceañera, a birthday celebration. He said video surveillance showed the SUV do a slow crawl over the tracks, but not fully stop.

He told us the conductor and another driver honked and flashed their lights to get the driver's attention.

Chronister said the SUV mirrored a crushed can. He was visibly shaken up and told reporters on scene the department was rattled to its core.

We spoke with neighbors in the area who said the crossing is dangerous, and they've seen similar situations before.

CSX, a railroad company that operates primarily in the Eastern United States, wrote the following statement.