TAMPA-Three Florida State University students died when their car crashed on their way back to school after a weekend road trip, authorities said.
Alana Williams, 19, Andromeda Spencer, 20, and Viquilla Troupe, 18, all of Tampa, were sitting in the back seat of the 2001 Nissan Altima. The care then crossed the median on Interstate 75 and crashed just before noon Sunday into a concrete support under an overpass, Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Larry Coggins said.
Spencer and Troupe died at the scene, and Williams later died at Pasco Regional Medical Center, authorities said.
The cause of the crash was unknown, Coggins said.
Audrick Drummond, the 19-year-old driver, and her twin sister Alrick, who had been in the front passenger seat, were flown to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa.
Audrick, a student at Florida A&M University, was treated and released. Alrick, also a Florida State student, was sent to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa and was said to be in serious condition Monday according to senior hospital officials
Significant traffic backup was caused as drivers slowed to survey the accident. The roof of the Nissan Altima was completely ripped off and clothing was littered throughout the highway.
As the passengers were all being transported for medical treatment, members of the Florida National Guard pulled to the scene of the accident. Guardsmen proceeded to direct traffic on I-75, helping to quickly quiet commotion caused by highway backup.
The five students had driven home for the weekend to visit family and attend a football game, officials said.
The Associated Press contributed this article.