An evening joy ride took a dire turn in Lehigh Acres when a side-by-side UTV carrying one adult and five children collided with a Toyota Camry at the intersection of 20th Street SW and Karen Avenue. The collision resulted in one person being placed in a coma; one child is still hospitalized, while the other three are expected to be discharged soon.
Neighbors sent NBC2 a video showing the UTV traveling down 20th Street SW moments before the crash. The video captures the moments a nearby resident runs to the street after hearing the loud bang.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a Toyota Camry, driven by a woman with two children in the car, smashed into the side-by-side at 20th Street SW and Karen Avenue.
Local residents, including Domínica Arioja, described the chaos as they heard the accident unfold from their nearby homes. Arioja, who woke up from the sound of the crash, told NBC2 she saw five children lying on the ground and blood everywhere.
Neighbors say drivers often speed and blow past stop signs at the intersection. Arioja says the intersection makes her nervous, and she's scared to let her daughter play outside.