Stop for Small Animal Sparked 4-Vehicle Crash, Troopers Say

A 40-year-old Orlando man is in critical condition following a four-vehicle crash that closed State Road 54 lanes in the Trinity area for a time Tuesday morning.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the accident happened around 10:40 a.m. as Leah Cole, 38, of New Port Richey was traveling east on 54 near Trophy Boulevard.

Cole, troopers say, stopped in the center lane for a small animal.

When she did a Volkswagen traveling behind her, driven by Brandon Kelleher, 18, of New Port Richey, changed lanes to avoid a crash. Kelleher, however, was unable to avoid a collision and ended up striking Cole’s vehicle and a Dodge van driven by Daniel Williams, 65, of Land O’ Lakes.

The impact caused Williams’ van to travel over the median and into the westbound lanes of State Road 54, troopers say.

Williams’ van struck a 2008 Toyota pickup truck head-on.

The driver of the Toyota, who has not yet been identified, was taken to Bayonet Point Medical Center in critical condition, an email from the highway patrol stated.

Williams suffered minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Both Cole and Kelleher suffered minor injuries, but did not go to the hospital.

Troopers did not say what kind of animal Cole stopped for.

Charges are pending further investigation.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol

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