A devastating five-vehicle collision on Interstate 95 in Indian River County claimed the lives of four individuals, including a 7-year-old boy. The pile-up occurred early Monday morning, shutting down all northbound lanes of the highway near mile marker 153 close to Fellsmere, as reported by WPTV News Channel 5. The initial crash transpired around 2:15 a.m., according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).

The Florida Department of Transportation has since released images depicting the post-accident scene, which involved a series of collisions beginning with a 2009 Toyota Camry rear-ending a 2001 Suzuki Vitara. In a profound turn of events, as the drivers of these vehicles exited their cars to render aid, a semi truck collided with another car in the immediate vicinity, setting off a fatal chain-reaction. The drivers of the Camry and Vitara were amongst those killed, an official statement by the FHP confirmed.

The string of crashes continued as a Dodge Journey, carrying six occupants including four children under age 10, plowed into the Vitara. Subsequently, a Chrysler Pacifica crashed into the Camry. Tragically, the casualties include a 7-year-old boy and a 40-year-old woman from Brevard County's Palm Bay, both passengers in the Dodge Journey, as per the authorities. CBS12 News reported that the Indian River County Sheriff's Office has verified the number of fatalities and those injured.

The wreckage resulted in six people being hospitalized, with the youngest being a 2-month-old boy. Among the crash survivors, a 9-year-old girl remains in stable condition at St. Mary's Medical Center. While the overall conditions of the remaining victims have not been formally disclosed. Motorists were advised to seek alternative routes following the incident, with suggestions to use US-1 or County Road 512 to resume travels on I-95.