Two girls killed in turnpike crash; one trapped in submerged sedan
March 1st, 2009 by Post StaffThe evidence of tragedy on the Florida Turnpike was impossible to miss: A tiny body lay under a small yellow tarp, just out of sight of curious drivers.
A pink child’s Winnie the Pooh bag and an adult’s gray running shoe lay in the grass. Only one tire of a submerged vehicle was visible among the vegetation at mile marker 118.5 just north of the Palm Beach County-Martin County line.
A firefighter sat slumped nearby, visibly upset but unwilling or unable to describe what he had seen.
Lexie Miller, 4, and Layla Ann Whitaker, 2, were killed and two adults badly injured when the gray Chevrolet Malibu rolled off the turnpike’s southbound lanes and into a canal, officials said. The accident occurred about 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
Share condolences: Lexie Miller, Layla Ann Whitaker
Deputies and other motorists pulled the two adults and Miller from the canal.The 2-year-old was not intially found by rescuers and divers later found her inside the sedan, the Florida Highway Patrol reported. Paramedics tried to revive the 4-year-old, who was taken by ambulance to Jupiter Medical Center.
The two adults - one of whom was Richard F. Whitaker, 28, of Port St. Lucie, identified by authorities as the the children’s father - were flown by helicopter to St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, said Steve Delai, deputy chief of Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. Whitaker was driving and Sarah L. Tandy, 20, of Lantana, was a passenger, FHP reported. The children were in child restraints as required by law.
“At this time, investigators know the vehicle was southbound on the turnpike when the driver lost control and swerved from the travel lanes onto the right shoulder,” Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Jorge Delahoz said in a statement. It hit a median wall, FHP reported.
“The vehicle just missed a guardrail and struck a tree line before entering a canal located behind the tree line,” the statement said. “The vehicle was submerged in about 15 to 20 feet of water.”
The children’s mother was not in the car, Delahoz said.
Authorities shut down turnpike traffic in both directions as recovery crews dragged the sedan from the water. More than a dozen rescue trucks converged at the crash site about 2 miles north of the Indiantown Road exit. The wreck is under investigation; no charges were filed Sunday, and Whitaker is being tested for drugs and alcohol, according to the FHP report.
LONA O’CONNOR and MICHAEL LaFORGIA
Tags: children, fatal accident, layla, lexie, Turnpike
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March 1st, 2009 at 9:05 pm
I was one of the many people that pulled over for this accident. I carried the 1 year old to dry ground and with the assistance of another women (we are both nurses), we tried to revive her. I can honestly say that this was the worst thing I have ever witnessed (I work in a level 1 trauma center, so I see the worst of the worst) and my heart goes out to the family.
I hope the family knows that every effort was given by bystanders and first responders, and that our heart aches for them tonight.
March 1st, 2009 at 10:42 pm
I was travelling north on turnpike and saw the car travelling south when I noticed it appeared to be out of control and airborne. I thought it was going to crossover the guardrail and would have landed on my SUV but it ricoted off and 360′d into the canal. I could see the splash it made and I immediately called 911. It was horrifying. My family’s heartfelt prayers are with family.
March 2nd, 2009 at 6:45 am
Our hearts and prayers to the loved ones…
March 2nd, 2009 at 7:06 am
As Jen, above, wrote, the first child out was about one year old, contrary to your coverage; the older child could not be gotten out until divers arrived. Those who survived did so only because passers-by stopped to help. Several men, including my husband, got into the water and pulled two adults and the baby from the water; others passed them up the canal bank; others resuscitated them. The man (whoever he was) who was first in the water deserves a huge amount of credit. One woman came up with a length of rope. Those nurses did everything they could to revive the child. I was stunned to see the two adults brought back to life, and that is what literally happened. We were all thrilled to see the pros arrive, but the lives that were saved were saved long before they got there.
March 2nd, 2009 at 11:23 am
I am so sorry for the tragic loss this family has endured. I can only hope that you can be strong through this horrible time. I lost my little brother in a wreck this year it is very difficult and My heart saddens to hear these tragedies. I will keep your family in my prayers.
March 2nd, 2009 at 11:40 am
MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE FAMILY MAY GOD BE WITH U GOD BLESS U AND UR FAMILY
March 2nd, 2009 at 11:59 am
My girlfriend and I were heading south less than a quarter-mile behind the accident. Once traffic stopped, we knew it wasn’t good. When it was confirmed that two had died, it was a very sobering moment. And to learn now that they were little girls is heart-breaking. My thoughts go out to the families involved.
March 2nd, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
March 2nd, 2009 at 12:00 pm
I lost a friend the same way two years ago and to hear this breaks my heart since two children were lost and I am a mother also. I will pray to God for the family so they can have lots of strength to endure something like this. Only God can get them through this. I will be thinking and praying for them everyday…
March 2nd, 2009 at 12:17 pm
My heart goes out to the family. You are in my thoughts and I hope you can find some peace during this tragic time.
March 2nd, 2009 at 1:04 pm
I work with both of the victims and Sarah was the mother of Layla (the 1 year old) and Richie was the Father to both of the little girls. This article says the mother was not present.
March 2nd, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Shannon Miller, my best friend, is Lexie’s (4 yrs) mom and she is the one who was not in the car. Please, PBPost, correct your news coverage when you learn there are errors. The baby, Layla, was the one they attempted to resuscitate. Lexie wasn’t found till later.
March 2nd, 2009 at 2:23 pm
We were on our way home from our Orlando vacation. this happen 3 cars in front of us. I almost lost it when I seen them pull the baby from the car. My prays go out to the family to give them strength. This is a tough time for this family so please pray for them.
March 2nd, 2009 at 3:33 pm
I was driving back from my trip to Orlando. We were delayed for a little over an hour but by the time we got to the accident it was 5:00pm.
I couldnt stop thinknig about the two car seats we had passed on the road and the sight of the car they were in.
I had to google in hopes of finding out what had happened.
My condolences.. GOD bless
March 2nd, 2009 at 4:07 pm
For ten years and THOUSANDS of deaths by drowning, I’ve wondered the same thing. WHEN will they figure out these canals on the interstates are death traps and DO SOMETHING ABOUT THEM?
March 2nd, 2009 at 4:27 pm
I am deeply sadden by your loss and my heart hurts and cries as well. My you some how find peace and know that your beautiful little angels are in heaven. May the Lord hold your whole family and keep you strong. Forever in my prayers you all will be.
March 2nd, 2009 at 4:33 pm
I want to thank all that did their best to help in this horrific accident. I am a great-aunt of Lexie Miller and though she was not saved the family thanks you for your couragous efforts. With the help of God we will get through this.
March 2nd, 2009 at 5:05 pm
I know both families and have to say that there were never two mothers who loved their daughters more than Shannon and Sarah loved Lexie and Layla. This is a horrific loss.
Please keep them all in your prayers.
March 2nd, 2009 at 5:37 pm
iam so sorry to have this happen i lost a son 8 years ago its painful but god will heal your hearts you never forget but remember they are in heaven with the lord it helps my heart goes out to these people god bless you my heart is in prayer for your family
March 2nd, 2009 at 6:31 pm
My husband & I were first at the scene. He is a M.D. and was the 1st to dive in and get the people out of the car. The 1st to come out was the youngest daughter. I am a R.N. and was giving CPR to her for 40 minutes, and she was transported to the hospital. The older daughter was last to come out. My husband was a true hero in doing what he did. He jumped right in and dove under the water to get the 4 people out. We are so saddened by this event and our hearts go out to all of the parents and family. Today is my 50th birthday, and all I can think about is that poor family.
March 2nd, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Speeding kills.
March 2nd, 2009 at 9:17 pm
What a tragedy. I am so sorry. My heart goes out to the family, as well as the bystanders who tried so hard to help. Reading the comments by the concerned drivers who saw this is touching, and I hope this helps the family in the days to come. May God be with you all.
March 2nd, 2009 at 10:53 pm
I was married to Shannon Millerfor almost 2 years and I was there when Lexie was born. I loved her as my own daughter and the news of this accident hurts me more than anyone could know. My heart goes out to Shannon right now and my heart goes out to Doug and Carmen and all of the people that have come into contact with these beautiful little girls. I know that God had better plans for them. I am grateful for the time that he let us have them and I pray that he comfort everyone who is affected by this. I would also like to thank everyone who risked thier own safety to try and save them. God bless all of you. Shannon, I want you to know that she will always have a place in my heart.
March 2nd, 2009 at 11:56 pm
My family and I have been friends with Sarah’s family almost my whole life ( I’m 24 ). It is sad and heart breaking to hear about this tragedy and my heart goes out to them and the other family. Sarah was a great mother and I know Shannon was too. A great thanks goes out to everyone that helped out. I know God will be with both families through this time and I will pray for everyone in both families. God bless all of you.
March 3rd, 2009 at 12:41 am
Thanks to all good samaritans that stopped and help.Specially Joanne and her husband, the offduty fireman, the police and those nurses were relentless in her efforts to revive the little girl. So sad that our efforts were not enough.WE are so happy to know that still are some good in people like us who disregard our own safety to help another human being.Thank you’all again and lets pray for those little angels.
B & B
March 4th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
There are no words. My heart goes out to the family and you are in my prayers.
March 5th, 2009 at 11:50 am
This accident was not due to speeding. Everybody speeds on the florida turnpike and if you don’t keep up with the flow of traffic people, swerve around you trying to pass you. It’s actually more dangerous to go slower than faster. No, the extra 10 mph is not what killed the girls, its the fact that there is a ditch with 20 feet of water and NO GUARDRAIL on the side of a major freeway. Maybe they will build one now that we have lost two beautiful, smart, funny, happy little girls.
March 6th, 2009 at 5:21 am
I am one of the grandfathers of Lexie & Layla. Both of our families are just destroyed by what happened to our girls. With the grace that God gives us, I pray that Richie, Sarah, and Shannon will get thru the terrible pain and anguish that ls here already, and lies ahead of them, and us all. All of us LOVED our girls, they are already being missed terribly!! I THANK GOD that I know they are already comforted by the LORD!!
This cup that we all have to drink from right now is extremely bitter, but it is the cup God has allowed in our lives. There is no easy way to overcome the extreme pain we are all feeling, but, together, as one family and a strong faith in God, I pray that we will succeed.
I wish to thank all of those involved in trying to save our children. I know you put your own safety aside to help total strangers. Losing a loved one is difficult enough, but losing a child is the hardest pain to overcome. To all the first responders, police officers, divers, and anyone else who tried to help, from the bottom of my heart, again I thank you for all your efforts.
God bless all of you. He had certainly blessed all of us with these precious little ones.
I agree with those who have written here about the need for both guardrails, as well as removing the deep canals that ultimately caused my babies to die. MY life, as well as the lives of this entire family have been forever changed.
March 11th, 2009 at 2:33 am
I am Lexies mom and again i also would like to thank everyone who helped. Losing Lexie is by far the worst pain I have ever felt, and now I will have to put her ashes next to my Mothers who I lost almost 9 years ago. Through all this i will stay strong because I know GOD has some mysterious plan….til the day i die I will ask him why he took my Angel and made her one, but I know shes in a much better place than here.And my life will forever be changed because of one sweet little girl, and I thank Lexie for all she has shown me since I was graced with the pleasure of being her Mother! Thank you again to ALL who helped in any way, shape or form….