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Driver Cited in Howard Frankland Bridge Crash

Howard Frankland Bridge | FHP | Crash

The driver had stopped in a travel lane, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – Two drivers received minor injuries in a three-vehicle crash in the northbound lanes of the Howard Frankland Bridge, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Omar Rafael Deleon, 31, of Brandon, received minor injuries but was not taken to a hospital. Matthew Austin Tucker, 36, of Tampa, who was driving another car suffered minor injuries and was taken to Tampa General Hospital. The third driver was not injured.

Deleon received a citation for stopping improperly on an interstate, troopers said.

The crash happened about 9:44 p.m. Deleon had stopped his 2012 Nissan Altima in the northbound inside lane of the bridge at milepost 36 because he was out of gas. Tucker was driving a 2009 Audi A4 north, towards Tampa, in the inside lane. The Audi collided with the Nissan, troopers said.

After the impact, the Audi spun into the path of a 2013 semi-tractor-trailer driven by Darryl Dwayne Brown, 54, of Brandon, who was traveling in the inside center lane. The truck jackknifed and collided with the inside wall of the bridge.

Tampa police, who helped the FHP, said traffic was down to one lane and was expected to be closed for at least two hours after the crash.

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

Photos courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol.

Florida Highway Patrol | Howard Frankland Crash | Traffic Accident | Tampa Bay News | TB Reporter

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