staff report

MARY ESTHER — A 19-year-old is in serious condition and two others have minor injuries following a four-vehicle crash Monday night.

Mackenzie Rados, 19, was traveling westbound on U.S. Highway 98, a quarter-mile west of Florosa Elementary School, at around 7: 30 p.m. Monday when she fell asleep at the wheel, according to a press release from Florida Highway Patrol. Her car veered off the road and overturned into a ditch.

A second vehicle, driven by a 43-year-old man, stopped partially in the road to help Rados, the release said. A third vehicle stopped in the road to avoid crashing with the second vehicle, causing a fourth vehicle to collide with the third vehicle’s rear end. 

The third vehicle was pushed into the second vehicle after being hit by the fourth.

Rados, another 19-year-old and a 20-year-old were all transported to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.

All lanes re-opened by 9:10 p.m. Monday night.