Deadly Chain-Reaction Crash on US-19 Leaves Two Passengers Dead, FHP Says

iSkyNews and Media February 22, 2026

By Staff Reporter

iSkyNews.com (ISN) – Published February 22, 2026

Two Killed in Multi-Vehicle Crash on US-19 in Citrus County, FHP Says

CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. — Two passengers were killed following a multi-vehicle crash Thursday night on U.S. 19 in Citrus County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Troopers say the crash occurred around 9:00 p.m. on February 20, 2026, at the intersection of US-19 and West Venable Street.

According to investigators, Vehicle 1, a Ford F-250 driven by a 27-year-old man from Lecanto, was traveling southbound on US-19 when it attempted to make a left turn at the intersection. During the maneuver, the pickup turned into the path of Vehicle 2, a Buick Enclave traveling northbound, resulting in a collision.

After the initial impact, the Ford F-250 overturned and came to rest on the shoulder of the roadway. Meanwhile, the Buick Enclave was redirected into the southbound lanes, where it was struck by Vehicle 3, a Dodge 2500 driven by a 20-year-old man from Weeki Wachee.

Authorities say two passengers in the Buick Enclave, a 71-year-old woman and a 78-year-old woman from Ankeny, Iowa, suffered fatal injuries at the scene.

The driver of the Buick Enclave, a 73-year-old man from Ankeny, Iowa, sustained minor injuries and was transported for treatment.

The driver of the Ford F-250 and his 29-year-old female passenger, both from Lecanto, were not injured. The driver and 19-year-old male passenger in the Dodge 2500, both from Weeki Wachee, were also uninjured.

The crash remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.

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