Arrest Warrant Issued In Fatal Wrong-Way Crash

Riverview, FL — The Florida Highway Patrol is asking for information that might lead to the arrest of a Ruskin woman wanted in connection with a January wrong-way crash that led to the death of a Riverview man.

According to the patrol, Jean Ann Petraits was driving a Chevrolet Express on U.S. 41, north of Bayshore Boulevard, around 9 p.m. Jan. 14. As Petraits was heading southbound in the northbound lanes, a Honda Odyssey driven by Rodney Keith Bell, 32, of Riverview was heading north on U.S. 41.

Troopers say the two vehicles hit, nearly head-on. Bell died at the scene.

Petraits was taken to Tampa General Hospital with critical injuries.

Troopers said Petraits was impaired at the time of the crash. A warrant for vehicular homicide was announced by the patrol on Thursday, July 7.

Petraits, troopers said, was last seen in the St. Augustine area.

Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to contact local law enforcement or the highway patrol at 813-631-4020.

Photos courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol