Lithia Motorcyclist Killed In I-275 Crash

TAMPA, FL — A 54-year-old Lithia man is dead following a crash on Interstate 275 Sunday evening.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Rafael Barboza was heading northbound near Armenia Avenue around 6:30 p.m. At that time, there were three vehicles stopped in the outside center lanes for an earlier crash.

Barboza, a highway patrol report said, failed to stop for the traffic ahead. His motorcycle struck a Chevrolet pickup driven by Robert Cook, 48, of Lakeland and then a Toyota Corolla, driven by Mary Naroz Fanos, 26, of Jacksonville. Following impact, the Corolla slammed into a Honda Accord driven by Lakia Hill, 33, of Riverview.

Barboza died at the scene, troopers said. The other motorists were not injured.

The crash remains under investigation with charges pending.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol