He lost control of his SUV, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – The driver died and his two passengers were injured from a one-vehicle crash Sunday (July 9) on I-4, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Wilfredo Marin, 43, of Apopka, died at Lakeland Regional Medical Center where he was taken after the crash. He was not wearing a seat belt. Maribel Muniz, 54, and Cathleen Melendez, 26, both of Orlando, suffered minor injuries. The two, passengers in Mr. Marin’s SUV, were taken to Tampa General Hospital.

The crash happened about 2:30 a.m. on westbound I-4 west of Branch Forbes Road. Troopers said Mr. Marin lost control of the 2003 Honday Odyssey he was driving when he became distracted while reaching for something inside the SUV. The Honda went off the road and collided with a guard rail in the center median. When it hit the guard rail, Mr. Marin was thrown from the SUV.

For information about the Florida Highway Patrol, go to flhsmv.gov.

Florida Highway Patrol | Distracted Driver Dies | Wilfredo Marin | Traffic Crash | Traffic Accident | Tampa Bay News | TB Reporter

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