TAMPA, FL – A wrong-way driver is facing pending criminal charges after a series of crashes on Interstate 275 in Tampa on Friday night that left one man deceased and another seriously injured, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers said a 21-year-old Tampa man driving a Chevy Silverado was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of I-275 at approximately 9:15 p.m. The driver had previously been involved in a hit-and-run crash on Fowler Avenue that was investigated by the Tampa Police Department.
South of Fowler Avenue, the Silverado was involved in a second hit-and-run crash investigated by FHP before continuing north in the wrong direction.
North of Busch Boulevard, the Silverado collided nearly head-on with a Toyota Corolla driven by a 24-year-old Tampa man. The impact caused both vehicles to overturn, and the Silverado caught fire.
As the Corolla overturned, it struck a Toyota Camry driven by a 26-year-old Wesley Chapel man. That vehicle then rotated and collided with another Toyota Camry operated by a 38-year-old Tampa man.
The 24-year-old Corolla driver suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The Silverado driver sustained serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital.
The drivers of the two Camrys were not injured.
Florida Highway Patrol said criminal charges are pending against the Silverado driver as the investigation continues.
SOURCE: FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL
