ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Highway Patrol said two cars were racing when one driver lost control and crashed into a power pole and a fire hydrant leaving an Oviedo man dead Thursday morning.
Troopers said it's unclear who was driving the car that crashed into the pole because both occupants of the car were ejected during the crash. Troopers said neither one was wearing a seatbelt.
Troopers said one of them, Ja-Mari Wilkerson, 25, of Oviedo, died after being transported to Advent Health East. The other, identified as Andre Chisholm, 28, of Orlando, is in serious condition at Orlando Regional Medical Center.
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The crash happened at 2:20 a.m. at the intersection of Colonial Drive and Chickasaw Trail. As of 6 a.m., eastbound Colonial Drive remains closed in the area.
Troopers said according to multiple witnesses, the car that crashed may have been racing a white Infinity.
The man who survived may be able to tell officials who was driving and explain why the car was driving so fast. But that has not happened yet.
"From what I understood, he was unable due to his injuries. And so, right now, we're going to see if there's any video along East Colonial Drive that would show the interaction between these two vehicles to confirm that it was street racing," said Lt. Kim Montes.
FHP said if it can prove the cars were street racing, and find the other car, both drivers could be charged if it determines the man who is hospitalized was behind the wheel of the car that crashed there.
According to the FHP report, toxicology reports are pending for the Oviedo man.
Troopers said the crash remains under investigation.