Three people lost their lives in a crash involving a semi truck and a minivan on Florida’s Turnpike near mile marker 171 in St. Lucie County. The accident happened just before 3 p.m. on Monday, August 12.

What happened: The semi, a 2024 International, was heading north in the right lane and tried to make a U-turn using an “official use only” area. While turning, the truck crossed all the northbound lanes.

• A 2015 Chrysler Town & Country van, traveling north in the inside lane, was unable to stop in time and collided with the left side of the trailer.
• The van became stuck under the trailer. Two passengers died at the scene. The van’s driver was flown to a hospital but died a few hours later.
• The people in the van were a 30-year-old man from Florida City, a 37-year-old woman from Pompano Beach, and a 54-year-old man from Miami.
• Two men from California, ages 25 and 28, were in the semi. Both were not injured.

Investigation: Florida Highway Patrol is looking into why the semi attempted the U-turn, which is only allowed for official vehicles. It’s being investigated as a traffic homicide case, reported TCPalm.

As of Wednesday afternoon, troopers had not made contact with some family members of those who died. No further details have been released.