Crime & Safety
48 Citations Issued To Drivers Trying To Avoid Crash On I-75
An accident closed down a portion of I-75 near Gibsonton Drive, causing a major backup that had drivers making illegal U-turns.
GIBSONTON, FL — A 36-year-old Brandon man was taken to Tampa General Hospital with serious injuries after being involved in a crash on Interstate 75 north of Gibsonton Drive at 6:50 a.m. Thursday that closed down a portion of I-75 and caused a major backup.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Joey James Pedro, 33, of Apollo Beach was driving a Mercedes sedan south on Interstate 75.
Lance R. Collins of Brandon was driving a Ford F150 pickup truck towing a utility trailer just ahead of Pedro when Pedro overtook the pickup truck and collided with the rear. The pickup jackknifed and overturned. The utility trailer detached and collided with the center median.
Find out what's happening in Bloomingdale-Riverviewfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The accident closed that section of I-75 for nearly four hours and additional troopers responded after drivers began making U-turns and driving on I-75 in the wrong direction resulting in 48 citations being issued.
Pedro was cited for careless driving.
Find out what's happening in Bloomingdale-Riverviewfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.