A preliminary investigation shows that a tire blowout caused a church van to rollover in Lee County, killing one passenger and sending 15 others to area hospitals.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the left rear tire tread separated from the tire, causing the van to careern onto the emergency lane on Interstate 75 in Estero Saturday morning. The van's driver then tried to steer back onto the inside lane when it spun clockwise and overturned.
Seven passengers were taken to the hospital with serious or critical injuries, including a 2-year-old girl. Another eight had minor injuries.
Troopers identified the fatal victim as 20-year-old Nostra Damas.
The 15-passenger van was traveling from Broward County to Tampa for an event, the FHP said.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.