Rear-end collisions happen on a daily basis on our Florida roads. Typically the collisions happen on city roads when vehicles are not traveling at high speeds. Usually a driver misjudges stopping distance and bumps the vehicle ahead of them. These collisions tend to be minor and the drivers quickly exchange insurance information so that they can continue on to their destinations. However, rear-end accidents can be very serious and deadly when one vehicle is traveling at a much higher speed than another vehicle.
A collision over the weekend on Interstate 4 near Tampa killed one woman after the vehicle she was in was rear-ended by a truck that was reported to be traveling at a higher speed. According to the accident report, a 31-year-old man was traveling northbound on I-4. A 27-year-old woman was a passenger in the man’s 2001 PT Cruiser. A 2002 Dodge Ram was also traveling northbound on the interstate and was being driven by a 52-year-old man. The Dodge was also carrying a passenger in the truck. As the vehicles approached the Mango/Thonotosassa exit, the Dodge rear-ended the PT Cruiser.
The collision forced both vehicles onto the inside and outside shoulders of I-4. The passenger of the PT Cruiser was rushed to Tampa General Hospital. She died at the hospital from injuries sustained in the crash. The other three individuals involved in the crash did not suffer any life-threatening injuries.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver of the Dodge Ram was traveling at a faster speed than the PT Cruiser that was ahead of the truck in the same lane. The driver said that he did not see the other vehicle in front of him. Police are investigating the accident and believe that alcohol may have been a factor in the fatal crash
Sources:ABC Action News: “Female passenger dies in 1-4 crash near Seffner,” Heather Gordon, 20 Mar. 2011
Tampa Bay Online: “Woman killed when car struck from behind on I-4,” 20 Mar. 2011