PORT CHARLOTTE — An Arcadia man was seriously injured in a two-car crash on Kings Highway early Wednesday morning.

Hector Negron, 27, Jose Rivera 22, Jose Morales, 23, and Nicholas Ocasio, 45, all of Arcadia, were inside a 1998 Saturn Ion around 6:30 a.m. when they collided with a Toyota Scion driven by Frank Palmero, 45, of Port Charlotte. Palmero attempted to make a left-hand turn from Kings Highway onto the northbound Interstate 75 entrance ramp, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The impact sent the Saturn onto a grassy shoulder.

Charlotte County Fire/EMS had to use a hydraulic cutting tool and other equipment to remove the roof of the Saturn and both driver’s side doors in order to rescue passengers trapped inside the vehicle, according to department spokeswoman Dee Hawkins-Garland.

“Station 12 houses our special ops team. This is a team of highly trained rescuers, and their training in heavy extrication paid off,” said Hawkins-Garland. “They had those people out of there in no time.”

Negron, who was driving the vehicle, suffered serious injuries and was transported to Charlotte Regional Medical Center, according to the report. Rivera and Ocasio were treated for minor injuries at Peace River Regional Medical Center.

Palmero, who suffered minor injuries, was cited for failure to yield right of way, according to the FHP report.

All of the passengers in both cars were wearing seat belts. Alcohol was ruled out as a factor in the wreck, according to the FHP.

Email: mfavorite@sun-herald.com