Maria Luisa Olivas, 45, killed and Alejandro Mendoza-Olivas, 9, and Jade Alexa Mendoza, 8, seriously injured in rollover car crash on State Road 60 at Cable Road in Plant City, Florida

Plant City, Florida – A mother was killed and two children seriously injured Thursday night in a two-vehicle  crash on State Road 60 at Cable Road, the Florida Highway Patrol said. State Road 60 has been closed in both directions at the scene since 8:30 p.m. The FHP said the mother driving the pickup died of her injuries at Tampa General Hospital, and her two children --  ages 8 and 10 -- suffered serious injuries. About 7:43 p.m., Brian DeFreitas, 46, of Lakeland, was eastbound on State Road 60 near Haynesworth Drive when he tried to pass a 2001 Chevrolet pickup, but hit the back of the truck. The pickup was forced onto the grass median and overturned several times, ejecting the driver.

As Defreitas attempted to pass Olivas’ 2001 Chevrolet Pickup, the front left of his Dodge collided with the rear right of the Chevrolet. Post-impact, Olivas’ car traveled into the grass median and overturned several times. Olivas, who was not wearing her seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle and died.