Driver cited in crash that killed 2 kids, mother, grandmother near Disney

The driver of a truck that rear-ended a minivan carrying a Whitman family near Walt Disney World in Florida, killing four people, has been cited, the Florida Highway Patrol said.The Smith family was in a rental van on Feb. 18 when they were rear-ended by a pickup truck on State Road 429 near Celebration, Florida, according to police."Lucas Dos Reis Laurindo was driving a 2016 Ram 3500 truck. He failed to slow as he approached the rear of a 2020 Toyota Sienna van. The front of the truck struck the rear of the van. The van overturned onto its side after the impact," Florida Highway Patrol said.The van rolled over, killing 5-year-old Scarlett Smith; her mother, 41-year-old Julie Smith, of Whitman; and her grandmother, 76-year-old Josephine Fay, of Weymouth.Jaxson Smith, 11, later died of his injuries at Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital, according to Florida Highway Patrol officials.The Florida Highway Patrol said Laurindo, 26, was issued a citation for careless driving."The result of the crash investigation has determined that Mr. Dos Reis Laurindo was at fault for the collision. Under Florida law, the strongest charge that could be made against him is a ticket issued for careless driving. Mr. Dos Reis Laurindo was issued the ticket last week," Florida Highway Patrol said.Reis Laurindo is currently being held in federal custody on a visa violation.Scarlett's twin sister, a 10-year-old sibling, their father and their grandfather suffered minor injuries.According to the police report, all members of the Smith family were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.

The driver of a truck that rear-ended a minivan carrying a Whitman family near Walt Disney World in Florida, killing four people, has been cited, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

The Smith family was in a rental van on Feb. 18 when they were rear-ended by a pickup truck on State Road 429 near Celebration, Florida, according to police.




"Lucas Dos Reis Laurindo was driving a 2016 Ram 3500 truck. He failed to slow as he approached the rear of a 2020 Toyota Sienna van. The front of the truck struck the rear of the van. The van overturned onto its side after the impact," Florida Highway Patrol said.

The van rolled over, killing 5-year-old Scarlett Smith; her mother, 41-year-old Julie Smith, of Whitman; and her grandmother, 76-year-old Josephine Fay, of Weymouth.

Jaxson Smith, 11, later died of his injuries at Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital, according to Florida Highway Patrol officials.



The Florida Highway Patrol said Laurindo, 26, was issued a citation for careless driving.



"The result of the crash investigation has determined that Mr. Dos Reis Laurindo was at fault for the collision. Under Florida law, the strongest charge that could be made against him is a ticket issued for careless driving. Mr. Dos Reis Laurindo was issued the ticket last week," Florida Highway Patrol said.



Reis Laurindo is currently being held in federal custody on a visa violation.



Scarlett's twin sister, a 10-year-old sibling, their father and their grandfather suffered minor injuries.



According to the police report, all members of the Smith family were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.

