Two Dead After Head-On Collision on State Road 70 in Myakka

A tragic accident on State Road 70 in Myakka claimed the lives of two people on Saturday night, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The crash occurred when a 31-year-old Bradenton man driving a sport utility vehicle with three passengers attempted to pass westbound traffic by crossing the center line. The vehicle collided head-on with an eastbound pickup truck driven by a 47-year-old Arcadia man.

Both the driver of the pickup truck and a 56-year-old passenger in the SUV, also from Bradenton, were pronounced dead at the scene. The SUV's driver sustained serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital, while the other two passengers suffered minor injuries.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the crash.