2 killed after SUV hits concrete wall, flips into canal outside Orlando International Airport, police say
ORLANDO, Fla. - Orlando police have identified the two people killed in a crash on Saturday outside the Orlando International Airport.
Erica Pacheco, 34, and David Morales, 56, were passengers in a Land Rover that crashed around 12:30 a.m. According to police, the vehicle with four people inside was traveling southbound on Jeff Fuqua Blvd. near Cargo Rd. when for unknown reasons it ran off the roadway to the right, striking a concrete wall, and causing the vehicle to flip over and into a canal.
The driver and another passenger suffered minor injuries. Pacheco and Morales were transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries where they were pronounced deceased.
The investigation is ongoing.
People headed to Orlando International Airport Saturday morning were stuck in traffic for hours while police investigated a deadly car crash, which happened near the north entrance of the airport.
Many drivers tweeted photos and videos of the big backups leading up to the airport. Some say they had been stuck in the traffic jam for hours and missed their flights.
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Andy Page was trying to make a flight to Nashville.
"Noticed a big fence area knocked down next to a bridge and crime scene units and fire engines, didn't know what's going on, didn't see any vehicles, just crime scene vehicles. Just a terrible backup, all the way down the interstate."
"Traffic, lots of traffic," Tanisha Frye, from Louisville, told FOX 35 News. "Till-we-missed-our-flight traffic."
The area was cleared a few hours later and all lanes were reopened. Airport officials clarified that there was no shooting at the airport, despite someone mentioning that on social media.
"I've never seen anything like this," tweeted Asia McMillan, whose photos showed cars backed up for over a mile.
"Please tell us what is happening. We have been stuck in traffic for over 2 hours! We need to use a bathroom," David Lee Finkle tweeted at the airport.
Kent Keller tweeted a photo of someone walking next to the line of traffic toward the airport: "Can walk to airport faster than the cars are moving."
ARE FLIGHTS DELAYED AT MCO?
The airport confirmed that more than 120 flights were delayed on Saturday morning. Lines were dozens deep at airline ticket counters with travelers. If you happen to miss your flight, you can check the status on the Orlando International Airport's website or contact your airline.