The car he was driving overtook and rear-ended another vehicle, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – A Tampa man died late Wednesday (Dec. 27) in a crash caused when the car he was driving overtook and rear-ended another car, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Carl Allen Thornton, 41, from Tampa, died at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt. It’s unclear if he was impaired. Tests are pending.

Jeannie Kay Miller, 25, of Palm Harbor, a passenger in his car, suffered minor injuries. She was not taken to a hospital.

The crash happened about 11:31 p.m. on eastbound Hillsborough Avenue west of Montague Street. Troopers said Mr. Thornton was driving a 2017 Nissan Maxima in the inside travel lane. He overtook and collided with the rear of a 2017 Toyota Camry driven by Tien Tram, 26, of Clearwater.

After the impact, the Nissan left the road and came to rest partly in a lake along the outside shoulder of the road.

Florida Highway Patrol | Fatal Crash | Traffic Crash | Hillsborough Avenue Crash | Carl Allen Thornton | Tampabay News

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