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Driver Arrested in I-75 Crash

I Crash|FloridaHighwayPatrol|TrafficCrash

The crash closed lanes on I-75 for several hours, FHP troopers said. Alcohol was not a factor in the crash.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – A Riverview woman was arrested in connection with a crash Thursday (Feb. 21) on I-75 during which a tractor-trailer overturned and tied up traffic for hours, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Kimberly Michele Westfall, 27,suffered minor injuries in the crash and was taken to Florida Hospital Fletcher. After she was released from medical care, Westfall was charged with one count of Reckless Driving with Property Damage. Alcohol was not a factor in the crash.

The other driver, Reginald E. Johnson, 50, of Jacksonville, also suffered minor injuries but was not taken to a hospital.

The crash happened about 12:02 p.m. on northbound I-75 at about Milepost 270 in Hillsborough County.

Troopers said Westfall was driving a 2007 Acura north on I-75 at high speed. The Acura changed from the outside lane to the inside lane – crossing all four lanes of travel . When it encountered slower moving traffic, it changed lanes back across the interstate and collided with the front of the 2014 Volvo tractor-trailer that Johnson was driving. The semi was carrying a hazmat load of alcohol-based, apple-flavored liquid.

Kimberly Michele Westfall | Florida Highway Patrol | Arrests
Kimberly Michele Westfall

The Acura stopped in the outside shoulder of the interstate. The trailer section of the rig overturned, slid down the interstate for more than 200 feet, and came to rest along the shoulder and outside lane.

The crash tied up traffic for several hours. All travel lanes on I-75 were re-opened by about 5 p.m., troopers said.

Photo of the overturned tractor-trailer courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol.

Florida Highway Patrol | I-75 Crash | Crime | Arrests | Tampabay News

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