7 killed, including 5 kids, in fiery crash

Five Louisiana children on their way to Disney World were among seven people killed Thursday in a horrific highway crash near Gainesville, Fla., authorities said.

A big rig and a sedan traveling north on Interstate 75 collided, jumped a guardrail and drove into a southbound lane, said Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Patrick Riordan.

The two vehicles then collided with a passenger van and a second tractor-trailer, sparking a massive fire fueled by 50 gallons of diesel, the Associated Press reported. A fifth vehicle drove through the debris, possibly striking some people who had been ejected, Riordan said.

In addition to the five children, both drivers of the trucks died. As many as eight other people were injured, authorities said, but the severity of their injuries was not clear.

“It’s a heartbreaking event,” Riordan said.

The Florida Highway Patrol said Friday that the children were 14-year-olds Joel Cloud and Jeremiah Warren; 13-year-old Cara Descant; 10-year-old Briena Descant; and 9-year-old Cierra Bordelan. All were from Marksville, La., and were in a Pentecostal church van headed to the theme park.

The truck drivers were 49-year-old Douglas Bolkema of Albuquerque and 59-year-old Steve Holland of West Palm Beach, Fla.

Witnesses to the crash described a hellscape of explosions, scattered debris and bodies.

“We kept seeing these little explosions and fire,” Nicole Towarek told the Gainesville Sun. “The heat, it was insane.”

The fire was so intense that it damaged the roadway, said Troy Roberts of the Florida Department of Transportation.

The crucial north-south corridor was closed for hours, causing major traffic delays.