Five-Car Accident Sends Four People to the Hospital

Lakeland, FLThe northbound lane on US 98 in Lakeland was shut down earlier in the week after a massive car crash sent four people to the hospital, including the driver suspected to have caused the pile-up.

span itemprop="image" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/ImageObject" style="display:block">The mid-afternoon crash occurred when a black Ford driven by Mathew Allen Lane, 33, veered from the far left lane all the way into the right lane, where cars were stopped at a red light. Lane struck a Chevrolet minivan, causing it to spin and ejecting three of its female passengers.

Lane's car continued forward, striking a Dodge Charger and driving it into a Honda Element, which forced that car into a Buick SUV. The drivers of these three vehicles were unharmed in the incident, according to official reports.

The three women ejected from the van were taken to Lakeland Regional hospital in serious but not life-threatening condition. Lane was also injured in the crash.

Eyewitnesses report hearing Lane proclaim that he had been drinking at the time of the accident. Police are awaiting the results of a toxicology test before they press charges.