Three-car crash in DeLand sends five to hospitals

Five people were hospitalized following a three-vehicle crash in DeLand on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 22.

Seventeen-year-old Rodrigo Duarte of DeLand was traveling west on Euclid Avenue when he ran the stop sign at Hill Avenue. Duarte’s 2002 GMC truck hit a 2006 Toyota driven by Gina Martinez of DeLeon Springs. Duarte's truck continued through the intersection, slamming head-on into an eastbound 2005 Pontiac that was stopped at the stop sign on Euclid.

Duarte, Martinez, Martinez's passenger, Christina Hernandez of DeLeon Springs, and a Canadian couple in the Pontiac, Glandon and Frances Thomas, were taken to area hospitals. Three were taken to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach.

Frances Thomas was listed in satisfactory condition at Halifax Health, and Christina Hernandez was treated for injuries at Florida Hospital-DeLand and released. Hospital officials said the other three crash victims have either been discharged or they may still be unidentified in hospital records because medical workers haven't been able to confirm their identities.

Duarte, who had no driver license, was under the influence of alcohol when the crash occurred. Charges are pending the results of that investigation and blood-alcohol tests.