2 Dead, Including 3-Year-Old, in Fiery Crash on Plantation Roadway

A 3-year-old child was among two people killed in a fiery crash on a major roadway in Plantation early Thursday morning, officials said.

The crash happened around 3:30 a.m. along University Drive near Northwest 3rd Street.

Plantation Police Department officials said the driver of a 2014 Mercedes lost control and crashed into a tree, causing the car to burst into flames. Both the driver and a passenger, a child, died at the scene.

The victims were later identified as 3-year-old James Oizan-Chapom and 29-year-old Ryan Yates, both of Miami.

A woman who lives nearby said she ran to her window moments after the crash.

"Right before the cops came through, I heard two booming sounds right after the crash and a woman screaming for her baby," said Frances Velaco, who lives in an apartment near the accident scene. "She was like 'my baby, my baby!' And I actually started crying when I heard that cause I felt really helpless and couldn’t do anything about it."

The Plantation Fire Department tweeted that they were able to put out the blaze but the roadway was closed in both directions for several hours Thursday.

Major vehicle fire & car accident. Fire is out. University Drive between 5th St and 3rd St, Northbound and Southbound is closed to all traffic. Seek alternative routes. Media inquires contact Plantation PD.

— Plantation Fire Department (@PlantationFire) July 15, 2021

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.