9 Injured in Symmes Road Crash

A Friday afternoon crash along U.S. 41 and Symmes Road sent nine people to the hospital, several in serious condition.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the accident happened around 6:59 p.m. as a Lincoln SUV driven by Giovanni Escobedo, 17, of Ruskin was heading south on U.S. 41. Escobedo attempted a left turn onto Symmes Road and turned in front of a Ford E250 driven by James Alan Bunn, 57, of Tampa.

Troopers say Escobedo violated Bunn’s right-of-way, causing his vehicle to strike the right side of the Lincoln.

All nine passengers in Escobedo’s Lincoln suffered injuries and were taken to Tampa General Hospital. Four passengers were ejected from the vehicle, Brittany Hernandez, 8, Anjelica Hernandez, 1, Magaly Silva, 5, and Elija Potts, 14, all of Bradenton.

As of Saturday morning, Silva and Angelica Hernandez remained in serious condition, troopers say.

Escobedo was cited for failure to yield, having no valid driver’s license, child restraint violations and seatbelt violations. He was uninjured in the crash as was Bunn.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol