Three Sarasota teens killed in Ringling Causeway crash, police say

Two brothers, both under 20, and a 15-year-old girl were killed overnight in a traffic crash on Ringling Causeway, police said.

Sarasota Police, in a release this afternoon, identified the victims as: Oscar Flores, 19; Daniel Flores, 17; and Isabella Paoletta, 15. All three were from Sarasota, police said, adding they have not yet determined who the driver was.

The statement from police said the three were westbound on the causeway nearing Bird Key when their four-door sedan hit a wall on the bridge, then a tree and caught fire. At some point, Paoletta was thrown from the car. Firefighters found the two other victims inside the car after extinguishing the fire. 

No other injuries were reported. 

Police are investigating the circumstances of the crash and are asking the public for help. Anyone with information, video or photos of the crash is asked to contact Officer Jason Frank at 364-7370.

All lanes of the causeway were closed for hours following the crash, reported just after midnight. Traffic resumed a normal flow in both directions around 6 a.m.