One dead, suspect hospitalized after wrong-way crash sparks fire on I-275 in Tampa
A 24-year-old Tampa man was killed when a Silverado traveling against traffic struck his car near Busch Boulevard, the Florida Highway Patrol said.
TAMPA, Fla. — A driver heading the wrong way on Interstate 275 triggered a deadly multi-vehicle crash that ended in flames Friday night, the Florida Highway Patrol said according to WFLA.
Investigators said a 21-year-old Tampa man was driving a Chevrolet Silverado the wrong direction on the northbound lanes near Busch Boulevard around 9:15 p.m. when he struck a Toyota Corolla almost head-on. The Corolla’s driver, a 24-year-old Tampa man, was killed at the scene.
The impact flipped the Silverado several times before it caught fire, according to troopers. The Corolla also rolled and was pushed into a third vehicle, a Toyota Camry driven by a 26-year-old Wesley Chapel man. That car then hit a fourth vehicle, a second Toyota Camry driven by a 38-year-old Tampa man.
The FHP said the drivers of the third and fourth vehicles were not hurt. The wrong-way driver, whose name has not been released, was taken to a hospital with serious injuries.
Troopers said the Silverado driver had been involved in two separate hit-and-run crashes shortly before the I-275 wreck — one on Fowler Avenue and another just south of it. Authorities have not detailed those incidents or said whether anyone was injured in them.
Criminal charges against the driver are pending, the FHP said.
Reporting based on the Florida Highway Patrol via WFLA.
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