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Pam and Scott Snyder were married just seven months before his death. Photo courtesy Mary Ussery
Though no victim names have been released officially, one Polk County family is certain their loved one was among four people who died Wednesday morning in the horrific crash on Interstate 4.
Darren Scott Snyder, 35, was on his way to work at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom when his red Ford Mustang became one of dozens caught up in the initial crash that wrecked 43 cars, said his father-in-law, Don Ussery of Auburndale.
A chain reaction of crashes said to have been caused by a mix of fog and smoke destroyed 70 vehicles. Thirty-eight people were hurt at least five seriously, officials said.
When news of the wreck reached Ussery’s stepdaughter, she tried to phone Snyder, said Ussery, who is 76.
“She called his phone; she called his work,” Ussery said. “They said he never checked in that morning. With all those things put together, we’re just 100 percent sure.”
When someone in the family saw a red Mustang in a news broadcast of the crash, they had a crushing realization, Ussery said.
Snyder’s brother and father rushed from Lakeland to where the interstate had been closed and spoke to officers at the scene, Ussery said.
“The police said that was the only red Mustang in the accident,” he said. “They could tell it was his car from the license number.”
Snyder married Pam Hollingsworth, 46, last year in Jamaica, Ussery said.
The newlyweds lived with her parents, who planned to sell them the home, Ussery said
Darren Snyder was handy to have around the house because of his skills with wiring and electronics, Ussery said. He enjoyed working for Disney, where he repaired and installed air conditioners. The theme park was paying for Snyder to attend air conditioning repair school to further his skills, Ussery said.
Ussery said his stepdaughter is taking the death hard but that her two adult children from a previous relationship are rallying around her to offer support. She is spending this morning with her husband’s parents, Jessie and Sharon Snyder, in their Lakeland home.
WE WISH TO EXPRESS OUR SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO SHARON AND LEE AND THE WHOLE FAMILY AS WELL AS SCOTT’S NEW WIFE AND HER FAMILY. HE WAS A WONDERFUL, CARING AND THOUGHTFUL PERSON WHO WAS SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE WHO LOVED HIM DEEPLY. WE ARE SO VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS AND SCOTT WILL ALWAYS REMAIN WITH US IN OUR HEARTS.
My heart goes out to the family and friends. I’m so deeply sorry to hear about this. May God Bless you’re Family and Friends. From a member of mousegeeks.com
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Posted by Jennifer Reilly, Oviedo, FL on 01/14 at 05:32 PM
May god bless those souls that are in his place now. They will be sorely missed.