published: Friday, November 30, 2012

Passenger killed after automobile strikes tree

MASCOTTE

Staff Report

A 39-year-old Groveland woman died early Saturday morning when the car she was riding in struck a tree south of Mascotte, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Amanda C. Durham was pronounced dead at the scene.

The FHP said the crash occurred at about 4:35 a.m. when John A. Welsh, 43, of Kissimmee, was driving west in a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt on Bay Lake Loop, just west of the intersection of County Road 565.

For unknown reasons, the FHP said, Welsh drove off the road and onto the north shoulder, overcorrected and crossed onto the south shoulder of the road. He then drove off the road and the left front of the vehicle stuck a large tree.

Welsh received serious injuries in the accident and was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center.

It is not known if Welsh or Durham were wearing seatbelts or if alcohol contributed to the accident, the FHP said. An investigation continues.e