Fatal crash in western Volusia draws countywide attention

A deadly head-on crash on State Road 40 in Volusia County has left three people dead and sent five members of another family to the hospital, according to reporting cited from the Florida Highway Patrol. The collision happened around 9 a.m. May 4 near Lake Winona Road in the DeLeon Springs area, a part of the county that many local drivers use when traveling west from the coast.

Authorities said a 2023 Honda CR-V was traveling eastbound on SR 40 when it entered the westbound lanes and collided with a 2021 Ford Expedition. Three people inside the Honda were killed. In the Expedition, a family of five from Leesburg — two adults and children ages 11, 14 and 16 — was hospitalized. FOX 35 reported that four family members underwent surgery and one remained in critical condition.

Why Edgewater readers may care

While the crash did not happen in Edgewater, it is a significant public-safety story within Volusia County and a reminder of the risks on major inland routes. SR 40 is a key east-west corridor for beach traffic, day trips and regional travel, including for residents heading toward DeLeon Springs, Ocala National Forest and other inland destinations. Serious wrecks on that roadway can also trigger closures and long detours.

The report indicates the family in the second vehicle had been returning from Daytona Beach when the trip turned tragic. Friends told FOX 35 the family is well known in the Leesburg softball community and now faces a long recovery, including medical treatment, rehabilitation and time away from work. A friend quoted in the story also expressed sympathy for the victims in the other vehicle, underscoring the broad impact of the crash on multiple families.

Ongoing investigation and travel caution

Florida Highway Patrol is the lead investigating agency, and the available reports do not identify a final cause beyond the lane departure described by troopers. As with any major fatal crash, additional details may emerge later through the investigation. Drivers should expect that serious incidents on two-lane highways like SR 40 can quickly shut down traffic and complicate travel across the county.

For Edgewater residents, the practical takeaway is straightforward: build in extra time when using inland Volusia routes, watch for emergency closures, and use caution on undivided highways where opposing traffic is separated only by painted lines. This crash is both a tragedy and a stark reminder of how quickly conditions can turn deadly on familiar roads.