A tragic accident in Lake County, Florida, shattered the early morning calm on Sunday, March 30, 2025, leaving three young women—Tavia Pew, Kayy Lashay, and Kaneisha Lewis—dead and another fighting for her life. The devastating crash occurred just after 3 a.m. along State Road 19, a quiet stretch of highway south of Saint Florian Lane, where a 2024 Jeep Cherokee veered out of control with catastrophic consequences. The Florida Highway Patrol, tasked with piecing together the events of that fateful night, reported that the vehicle was driven by a 30-year-old woman from Mount Dora, whose identity has not yet been released pending family notification. What began as a routine drive ended in a scene of heartbreak and chaos, underscoring the fragility of life and the unpredictability of the open road.

According to investigators, the Jeep was traveling northbound when it approached a deceptive left-hand curve. For reasons still under scrutiny, the driver failed to navigate the turn. The vehicle careened off the roadway to the right, its momentum unchecked as it slammed into a utility pole along the shoulder. The impact was severe, but the tragedy didn’t end there. The force of the collision sent the Jeep tumbling, flipping over multiple times across the terrain. In the violent upheaval, all four occupants—none of whom were wearing seat belts—were ejected from the vehicle. Emergency responders arrived to a grim tableau: two women, the driver and one passenger, lay lifeless at the scene, their injuries too severe to survive. The other two passengers, gravely injured, were rushed to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where one succumbed to her wounds shortly after arrival. The sole survivor, a 26-year-old woman from Eustis, remains in critical condition, her prognosis uncertain as doctors work tirelessly to save her.

The loss of Tavia Pew, Kayy Lashay, and Kaneisha Lewis has sent ripples of grief through their communities in Mount Dora and beyond. Friends and family members, still reeling from the news, have begun to share memories of the women, painting a picture of vibrant lives cut tragically short. Tavia, known for her infectious laughter and warm spirit, was a beloved figure among her peers. Kayy Lashay, an aspiring artist with a flair for creativity, had been planning a new project that she’d eagerly discussed just days before. Kaneisha Lewis, described as a steady and caring friend, leaves behind a void that those who knew her say will never be filled. As the investigation unfolds, authorities have yet to determine what led to the driver’s loss of control—whether it was speed, fatigue, or another factor entirely. The Jeep, now a crumpled wreck, holds clues that troopers hope will provide answers to a community desperate for understanding.

This stretch of State Road 19, nestled between the small towns of Mount Dora and Eustis, is no stranger to accidents, but few have carried such a heavy toll. Local residents have long voiced concerns about the road’s curves and the need for better signage or barriers, especially in low-light conditions. Sunday’s crash has reignited those conversations, with some calling for immediate action to prevent future tragedies. For now, though, the focus remains on the lives lost and the survivor clinging to hope in a hospital bed nearly 30 miles away in Orlando. The Florida Highway Patrol continues its meticulous investigation, combing through wreckage and witness accounts to reconstruct the sequence of events. Preliminary reports suggest the crash occurred in the pre-dawn hours when visibility was low, but no official cause has been confirmed.

For the families of Tavia, Kayy, and Kaneisha, the days ahead will be marked by mourning and the painful task of laying their loved ones to rest. The survivor, meanwhile, faces a long and uncertain road to recovery, her life forever altered by a split-second calamity. As news of the accident spreads, it serves as a somber reminder of the stakes involved in every journey—a call to cherish those we hold dear and to approach each mile with caution. In Lake County, a community grieves together, grappling with a loss that feels both incomprehensible and all too real.