One Dead, Three Injured in Three-Car Crash near Tampa

Towards the end of February, a tragic auto accident occurred after an individual who had stopped in order to assist another motorist along I-75 in Hillsborough County was struck and killed by a car traveling along this same road. According to reports from the Florida Highway Patrol, the incident took place sometime during the morning of Sunday, February 24th, and involved at least three cars.

It was around 4:30 in the morning when a 32-year-old Ruskin resident and a 31-year-old Ruskin resident were involved in a collision. The 32-year-old, driving a 2018 Toyota Tacoma, was headed down the southern lanes of I-75, close to the 254th mile marker, when they suddenly stopped. At this time, they were still within a travel lane. Behind them, the 31-year-old, driving a 2003 Buick LeSabre, failed to avoid the suddenly stopped car and instead collided with its rear end. Both of the cars were now disabled and within travel lanes. It was then that a 59-year-old North Port resident, also traveling down the southern lanes came upon the accident.

While this individual could have continued on their way, they decided to stop their car and help. After pulling the 32-year-old from their now disabled vehicle, the 59-year-old carried them to the shoulder of the road in order to begin providing them with early medical treatment while waiting for paramedics and EMTs to arrive. It was while they were outside of their vehicles, on the road’s shoulder, that a 24-year-old Ruskin resident driving a 2010 Toyota Camry reached the area. Apparently, this individual failed to see the Tacoma and the LeSabre.

When the Camry struck the Tacoma, this car then spun around. It was during this moment that the 59-year-old was hit by the Tacoma, sustaining injuries that were immediately fatal. The Tacoma then erupted into fire.

EMTs and paramedics rushed to the scene and began to offer assistance to those injured in the incident. As stated above, the 59-year-old was declared dead at the scene. The other three drivers involved were all transported to hospitals with minor injuries. The driver of the Tacoma was taken to Tampa General. It is believed that they had been drinking before the initial collision and that this is part of the reason why they suddenly stopped driving while in the middle of the road.

Sources:

• I-75 CRASH KILLS GOOD SAMARITAN

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.