Infant injured in Turnpike crash

A 4-month-old boy is in critical condition after the vehicle in which he was riding was rear-ended on Florida’s Turnpike mid-morning Friday, Jan. 31. He is being treated at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Frank Panetta, 69, of Clermont was traveling southbound in a 2011 Toyota Corolla when traffic congestion caused him to slow down at about 9:20 a.m. The driver of the second vehicle in the crash, Lucie Alexandre, 32, of Ocoee, failed to stop her 2013 Mercedes SUV and crashed into the back of Panetta’s vehicle, according to FHP.

Alexandre was treated for minor injuries; Panetta and his passenger, Suzana Panetta, 71, also of Clermont, both were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center and treated for minor injuries, according to an FHP release.

Troopers performed CPR on the infant until fire rescue arrived.

FHP said the three adults were wearing seatbelts and the baby was properly strapped into a car seat. Alcohol was not a factor in the crash, according to FHP.

The crash remains under investigation, FHP said, and charges are pending against Alexandre.