4 seriously injured in multi-vehicle crash in Hernando County

DADE CITY, Fla. (WFLA) — Several people were seriously injured after three vehicles collided in Dade City Friday afternoon. According to the Hernando County Fire Rescue, crews responded at 3 p.m. to a multi-vehicle crash at the intersection of Cortez Boulevard and Treiman Boulevard. Florida Highway Patrol said a Toyota Tacoma was northbound on Treiman Boulevard, while a Chevy Bolt and a Ford Ranger were traveling westbound on Cortez Boulevard. As the vehicles approached the intersection, the driver of the Toyota did not see the red traffic light, according to FHP. As the truck entered the intersection, the front of the Chevy Bolt struck the Toyota's right rear. After the initial collision, the front of the Toyota hit the Ford's driver door, causing it to spin counterclockwise and crash into a concrete traffic barrier. Crews arrived and found three vehicles with heavy damage. Four people met trauma alert criteria due to the severity of their injuries. One additional patient was taken to the hospital by an ALS ambulance. Crews requested air medical support, as well as mutual aid from Pasco County Fire Rescue, which responded with an engine and rescue unit. The westbound lanes of Cortez Boulevard (SR 50) were closed to establish a safe landing zone for the helicopters. "HCFR would like to remind motorists to travel safely by staying alert, avoiding distractions, obeying posted speed limits, and always wearing a seatbelt," firefighters wrote in a social media post. "A few extra seconds of caution can help prevent serious crashes and save lives."