In the predawn hours of Sunday, March 30, 2025, tragedy struck a quiet stretch of State Road 19 in Lake County, Florida, claiming the lives of three young women and leaving a fourth fighting for survival. The devastating single-vehicle crash, which unfolded just south of Saint Florian Lane at approximately 3:16 a.m., has left a community in mourning and authorities searching for answers. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the incident involved a 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee that veered off course with catastrophic consequences, underscoring the fragility of life and the profound impact of a fleeting moment.
The vehicle, driven by a 30-year-old woman from Mount Dora, was traveling northbound when it approached a left-hand curve. For reasons still under investigation, the driver failed to maintain control, sending the SUV careening off the roadway to the right. The Jeep struck a pole on the shoulder, a violent collision that marked the beginning of a deadly sequence. The force of the impact caused the vehicle to overturn multiple times, tumbling across the terrain in a chaotic blur. Inside were four women, each with dreams, families, and futures that would soon be forever altered.
The passengers were identified as Tavia Pew, Kayy Lashay, and Kaneisha Lewis, all hailing from Eustis, a small city just miles from the crash site. Alongside them was 26-year-old Mariah Belcher, also of Eustis, whose life now hangs in the balance. Investigators determined that the crash ejected all four occupants from the vehicle, a grim detail compounded by the finding that none appeared to have been wearing seat belts. The absence of this basic safety measure likely exacerbated the severity of the outcome, a fact that weighs heavily in the aftermath.
Emergency responders arrived swiftly, but for two of the women—the driver and one passenger—the scene offered no hope. They were pronounced dead amid the wreckage, their lives extinguished in an instant. The remaining two passengers were rushed to a nearby hospital, their conditions critical as medical teams worked to save them. Despite these efforts, one succumbed to her injuries, bringing the death toll to three. Mariah Belcher, the sole survivor, remains in critical condition, her recovery uncertain as loved ones and strangers alike hold onto hope.
The Florida Highway Patrol has launched a thorough investigation to piece together the events leading up to the crash. Preliminary reports suggest speed or driver error may have played a role, though officials have not ruled out other factors such as road conditions or potential distractions. The stretch of State Road 19 where the accident occurred is known to locals as a winding route, one that demands attention and caution, particularly in the dark of night. As the inquiry continues, authorities are also examining the vehicle itself, seeking clues that might explain why a routine drive turned deadly.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety, a message that resonates far beyond Lake County. The loss of Tavia Pew, Kayy Lashay, and Kaneisha Lewis has reverberated through Eustis and Mount Dora, communities bound by grief and shared sorrow. For Mariah Belcher, the fight for life continues, a fragile thread connecting the past to an uncertain future. As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on understanding what went wrong—and ensuring that such a tragedy does not strike again.