The early‑morning calm in Apopka, Florida was shattered just after 1:30 a.m. on Sunday when a pickup truck carrying six teenage boys careened off a curve near the intersection of Welch Road and Wekiwa Drive and overturned. According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the vehicle—a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado—was traveling eastbound when the 17‑year‑old driver lost control while navigating the bend, struck a tree, and rolled.
Three of the teens—two aged 17 and one aged 13—were killed in the crash. Two of them, a 17‑year‑old and the 13‑year‑old, were pronounced dead at the scene; the other 17‑year‑old passed away at a local hospital. The local school system later confirmed the three were students at Apopka High School and Kelly Park School K‑8, heightening the sense of loss in the community.
The remaining three boys—aged 14, 15 and 17—survived but were hospitalized with injuries described by the FHP as “serious but not life‑threatening.” Investigators report that only two of the six occupants were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, and at least four were unrestrained—including the 13‑year‑old and one of the 17‑year‑olds who died.
At the scene, tire tracks and evidence of the truck’s violent departure from the roadway were visible on the curve where the crash occurred. Local residents say the stretch of Welch Road where the crash happened has long been a concern—its downturn, the curve, and the speed some vehicles carry through it make it particularly dangerous, especially at night.
In a statement shared on social media, Orange County School Board member Melissa Byrd expressed sorrow for the families and the schools affected: “Our Apopka and OCPS community suffered a devastating loss today when three of our students lost their lives in a tragic automobile accident in Apopka. Please pray for Apopka High School and Kelly Park School K‑8 … Hold your kids and loved ones tight showing your love for each other, every day.”
Another voice in the aftermath, local resident Paul Greenwald, described how drivers “accelerate through here because it’s a cool curve” and said he often uses extra caution because cars “are coming so fast around the corner that you don’t have enough time.” He hopes the crash prompts safety measures such as speed‑display signs or speed humps in the neighborhood.
While the FHP continues its investigation and has not yet publicly determined if speed, impairment or other factors contributed, the crash stands as a stark—and tragic—reminder of how fragile life is, especially for young drivers and passengers. Families and friends in Apopka are grieving, and the community is coming together to support them in the weeks ahead.