(CNN) A horrific central Florida highway crash that took the lives of two truckers and five Louisiana children in a church van headed for Disney World has jolted a congregation and prompted a call for prayers.

Families gathered Friday at Gainesville-area hospitals caring for the eight injured in Thursday afternoon's fiery crash on Interstate 75.

Bryan Ross, affiliated with Avoyelles House of Mercy, said the passenger van set off from Marksville that morning. Nine children and three adults -- one of them the pastor's wife -- traveled in the vehicle.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the van was struck by a tractor-trailer that had made contact with another vehicle and crossed over the median into southbound lanes. The van from the Pentecostal church was struck and overturned multiple times, ejecting some of its occupants.

The agency on Friday released the names of the victims.

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