7 people sent to hospital after interstate crash

OCALA, Fla. (AP) -- Authorities say four passengers were ejected from a car after an accident on Interstate 75 near Ocala that sent seven people to the hospital with injuries.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 30-year-old Beverly Black was driving a van Thursday night when she apparently lost control and drove into the path of a semi truck. The cars collided and the van spun. Four people in the back seat were ejected.

Black and another passenger were taken to a hospital with minor injuries. Three others suffered serious injuries and the fourth was critically injured. The driver of the semi, 52-year-old Rodolfo Pena, was taken to another hospital. His condition was not known.

The FHP report said alcohol was not a factor in the crash. Charges are pending further investigation.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)