Girl, 9, Killed, 8 Injured In Alligator Alley Crash
WEST BROWARD (CBSMiami) –– Northbound lanes of Alligator Alley have re-opened following a multiple vehicle crash that killed a young girl and sent eight people to the hospital.
According to the Broward County Sheriff Fire Rescue Department, the accident took place shortly after 3 a.m. at mile marker 43 in the northbound lanes of I-75 between US 27 and the Broward-Collier County line.
Three vehicles were involved in the crash. One SUV rolled over and ejected 9-year-old Emyi Tatiana Aguilera Torres. She was driving home to Bradenton with her mom and friends when the crash happened. Her friends, ages 7 and 12 were treated at the hospital and released to their mother.
Investigators believe the SUV was hit by a car, causing it to flip. Troopers think that same car then hit another car.
Eymi Tatiana's mom Jensy explained in Spanish how they were hit from behind and the SUV flipped several times. She said her daughter was ejected and she searched for her but was not able to find her. Eventually, she realized her daughter was trapped under the SUV.
Investigators closed the Alley for hours. One reason for the long closure was because they were looking for the drivers of the two cars that were involved. FHP troopers say those drivers ran away. "Both drivers that caused the crash that we're looking into it, fled on foot and were later apprehended by BSO K-9 units," Lt. Feola said.
So far no charges have been filed, but the investigation continues. The family of the child who died said they hope to return her body to her native Honduras.
