A woman and 5-year-old girl have been identified as the victims killed in crash on Florida's Turnpike that shut down the northbound lanes Wednesday.

  • 5-year-old girl, 25-year-old passenger killed in crash
  • Rear tire separated, SUV struck guardrail, FHP says
  • Some passengers not restrained were ejected, troopers say

Rebekah Pollard, 25, and Esibel Varona, 5, were killed in the accident that happened on the northbound lanes of the Turnpike at mile marker 250 in south Orange County, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Pollard was not wearing a seat belt, and Varona was not in a child safety seat, troopers said.

According to the FHP, a 2005 Chevy SUV driven by Nicole Varona was traveling north on the Turnpike just after 11:30 a.m. when a rear tire separated.

The vehicle lost control and struck a guardrail. Two passengers were ejected from the SUV, and a car hauler behind the SUV ran over the passengers, according to the FHP.

Nicole Varona, 26, Leonel Cobo, 26, and Emilia Varona, 12, incurred serious injuries. The adults were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center. Nicole Varona and Emilia Varona were both not wearing seat belts, and it's not known whether Cobo was wearing one, troopers said.

A 3-year-old passenger, Kaley Pollard, was not hurt. The children were taken to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.

The driver of the car hauler also was not hurt.

The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.