A driver who was reportedly headed in the wrong direction caused multiple vehicles to crash in a neighborhood north of Tampa, leading to two deaths. According to officials from the Hernando County Sheriff’s Department, the driver ran a sheriff’s deputy off the road just moments before colliding head-on with another vehicle. Both drivers in the collision died.
The accident occurred at approximately 1 a.m. on Tuesday, July 4. The deputy was on patrol when he noticed the vehicle driving toward him and the truck in front of him. The deputy and the driver of the truck swerved off the road to avoid a collision, but the wrong-way driver hit another vehicle, driven by a 23-year-old woman who passed away from her injuries.
Investigators were examining the crash to determine if alcohol was a factor. The deputy did not suffer any injuries.
Wrong-way accidents typically stem from drunk driving
Most wrong-way accidents are caused by drunk drivers, who either lose control of their vehicles and swerve into oncoming traffic or enter interstate highways by driving the wrong way on an off ramp. However, there are some occasions in which a lack of proper freeway signage could be to blame, as drivers can get confused and not realize they are traveling in the wrong direction.
Wrong-way accidents are especially dangerous because they most often involve head-on collisions. When these crashes happen at high speeds, there’s a significant chance of fatalities.
If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident and you believe negligence was to blame, contact an experienced Bradenton personal injury attorney with Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh right away.