Horizon West crash kills Winter Garden man

HORIZON WEST  Javiel Passalacqua-Cruz, 32, of Montverde, was driving a van south at about 9:21 p.m. March 4 on Avalon Road toward McKinney Road. Cruz had on board passengers Alida Monsanto, 32, also of Montverde; Jesus Milan Soto, 26, of Kissimmee; and three children in car seats, according to Florida Highway Patrol reports.

At that intersection, Robert Hughes, 45, of Winter Garden, failed to stop his car at the stop sign while traveling east on McKinney Road. The front-left corner of his car hit the front-right part of the van, leading to Hughes’ car overturning and striking two trees. He died and had not fastened his seat belt.

Everyone properly restrained in the van emerged with minor injuries treated at Orlando Regional Medical Center or Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. The exception was Soto, who was not wearing a seat belt and died.

FHP personnel continue to investigate this crash, including whether Hughes had been intoxicated.

Contact Zak Kerr at [email protected].