2 from Westbury dead in Florida crash; six injured, say cops

A man and a woman from Westbury were killed early Saturday in a two-vehicle crash in Ormond Beach, Florida, authorities said.

The victims were identified as Angel Rafael Benitez, 63, and Angela Maria Benitez, 28, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

They were among eight members of the same family traveling on Interstate 95 in a 1995 Ford Econoline van, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

The other six family members, all from Westbury, were seriously injured in the 5:20 a.m. crash, the newspaper reported.

Authorities said Angel Benitez was driving north on the freeway near Old Dixie Highway, when a tractor-trailer traveling in the same direction crossed into Benitez's lane, clipping the left rear of the van.

The impact sent the van veering onto the grass shoulder, where it overturned, coming to rest on its left side, the highway patrol said.

The truck driver, Javier Lopez Flores, 50, of Avon Park, Florida, was not injured, authorities said.

Angel Benitez was wearing a seat belt; Angela Benitez, a passenger in the van, was not, according to authorities.

The injured passengers were identified as Mercedes Noemy Benitez, 57; Carmen Elana Benitez, 24; Camron Moody, 2; Marie Mercedes Benitez, 17, and Ibes Benitez, 37. Olivia Theodora Moody was also injured. Authorities did not give an age for her.