4 killed in crash that shut down US 1 in Florida Keys

ISLAMORADA, Fla. – A multiple-vehicle crash in the Florida Keys killed four women who were visiting from Spain.

The Miami Herald reports that the crash shut down U.S. 1 in Islamorada for most of Monday afternoon.

The Florida Highway Patrol says an SUV was attempting to make a left turn when a truck carrying portable toilets hit the vehicle from behind, pushing it into the oncoming lane. A large recreational vehicle hit the SUV, which then hit a tree.

Killed were the SUV’s driver, 31-year-old Margarita Cortes-Pardo, and three passengers, 31-year-old Maria Lopez-Bermejo Rossello, 30-year-old Teresa Sanchez Quetglas and 31-year-old Ana Gaitan Diaz.

Two people in the RV and the driver of the truck sustained minor injuries.

Florida Highway Patrol spokeswoman Lt. Kathleen McKinney says charges are pending an investigation.

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Information from: The Miami Herald, http://www.herald.com