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Wrong-Way Driver Dies after Hillsborough Crash

Crime Scene | Dead Body | Chalk Outline

The Riverview man died of injuries he received in a head-on collision.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – A Riverview man died from injuries he received when he tried to make a U-turn in front of oncoming traffic Saturday (March 5) afternoon, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

John Richard Mead, 64, died at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Tracy Debolt, 31, who was driving one of the other two vehicles involved in the crash, was taken to Tampa General Hospital with serious injuries.  Floyd Michael Willhite, 35, and Brandy Renee Willhite, 32, the driver and a passenger in the third vehicle, were taken to Brandon Regional Hospital with minor injuries. The other passenger in the third vehicle, Breanna Willhite, 12, was uninjured. All are from Riverview.

FHP troopers said the crash happened around 12:08 p.m. Satruday (March 5). Mr. Mead was driving a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu north in the southbound lanes of U.S 301/Gibsonton Drive. He tried to make a U-turn in front of the 2013 Ford Explorer driven by DeBolt, who was headed south. The two vehicles hit head-on, troopers said. The Explorer spun and hit the 2015 Ford Expedition driven by Floyd Michael Willhite, which was also headed south.

Troopers said it is unclear why Mr. Mead was driving the wrong way. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor, they said.

For information about the FHP, go to flhsmv.gov.

Hillsborough County | Florida Highway Patrol | Wrong-Way Crash | Head-On Crash | John Richard Mead | TB Reporter

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