1 dead, 1 critically injured in crash on SR-408 in Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. – One person was killed and another was critically injured Thursday morning in a two-vehicle crash that forced the closure of State Road 408 in Orlando, police said.

The fatal wreck happened around 6 a.m. on westbound S.R. 408 near Mills Avenue.

Orlando fire officials said in addition to the critically injured victim, two others were hurt and four people refused treatment.

Orlando police have not released any other details about the crash, but video from the scene showed debris strewn across the highway, which was closed for over five hours. All westbound lanes of S.R. 408 reopened just after 11 a.m.

Kevin Alston, owner of All Creatures Pet Grooming on East South Street near downtown Orlando, said his customers were running late all morning due to the crash, with some canceling their appointments.

“We had a client that called us. He lives 10 minutes away and it took him an hour and 15 minutes on the 408 to get here,” Alston said. “It’s such a busy roadway you just have to make sure you’re very mindful of your morning commute and just as careful as possible because everybody is trying to get to work. Everybody has somewhere to be, so you just gotta’ be careful.”

While the highway was closed, drivers were forced off the highway at nearby Mills Avenue.