Victims identified in deadly I-75 crash

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Onlookers at Marni Fields look at the aftermath of a deadly crash that snarled southbound I-75 traffic Sunday night in Bonita Springs. (Photo via viewer Yvonne Morgan)

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. Two people were killed in a crash Sunday evening on Interstate 75, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

The wreck happened around 7:41 p.m. near mile marker 117 when Naples residents Joel Diaz Lemus, 20, and Daniel Ramirez Ortiz, 21, were traveling southbound in a 2008 Hyundai Tiburon, the FHP said. They were reportedly passing other vehicles on the outside shoulder.

Lemus, the driver of the Hyundai, crashed into the rear portion of a Penske rental truck that was parked on the outside shoulder, State troopers said.

Following the collision, both vehicles stopped on the outside shoulder of Interstate 75, according to State troopers. Lemus and Ortiz were pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver and passenger of the truck were unhurt, as they were not in the vehicle at the time of the wreck, State troopers said.

It’s unclear if alcohol was a factor for Lemus or Ortiz, according to State troopers.

Anyone with information should contact FHP at 239-344-1730, or Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS to report an anonymous tip.

No further information was immediately available.

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