A wrong-way smashup on State Road 33 near Bakers Lane in Lake County early Sunday left one man dead and three others seriously hurt, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The head-on collision happened in the southbound lanes in the pre-dawn hours, and one of the vehicles caught fire after impact. Emergency crews rushed the injured to Orlando Regional Medical Center while troopers worked the scene.
According to FOX 35 Orlando, the crash happened around 6:20 a.m. when a 2026 Toyota Camry traveling north in the southbound lanes slammed head-on into a 2016 Dodge Journey that was heading south. The Camry’s driver, a 24-year-old Orlando man, was pronounced dead at the scene. Two passengers in the Camry and the Dodge’s driver, a 23-year-old Oviedo man, suffered serious injuries and were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center. Troopers told FOX 35 the Dodge became partially engulfed in flames and said the crash remains under investigation.
Perilous Stretch Of SR 33
This section of State Road 33 near Bakers Lane has seen multiple serious wrecks in recent years, including a 2023 crash involving an overturned asphalt truck that killed three people, according to WFTV. Local coverage has repeatedly flagged wrong-way and head-on collisions along SR 33 and nearby county roads, raising ongoing concerns about safety for commuters and rural drivers, as WESH has reported.
Investigation Underway
Troopers say they are still working to determine what sent the Camry into the wrong lanes and have not released additional identifying details beyond the riders’ ages and hometowns. More information is expected once the Florida Highway Patrol finishes its on-scene work and completes a formal crash report.
Drivers who rely on SR 33 are being urged to slow down and stay alert for changing conditions while cleanup and the investigation continue. Commuters should brace for delays in the area as troopers and Lake County crews clear the wreckage. This story will be updated as new information is released by authorities.
