Man Jumps Off Howard Frankland Bridge to Avoid Crash

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - A 41-year-old Land O’ Lakes man escaped major injury during a crash on the Howard Frankland Bridge Tuesday night by jumping into the water below.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Ismel Hernandez was a passenger in a 2006 Ford F350 that was towing a trailer in the northbound lanes. The trailer separated from the truck, causing the vehicle to become disabled in the inside lane.

Realizing the trailer had separated, the truck’s driver, Leonard Hicks, 34, of Zephyrhills pulled over, a highway patrol report stated. Hicks, Hernandez and another passenger, Steve Carballo, 27, of New Port Richey all got out of the truck.

At that time, a Toyota Corolla driven by David Rivera, 24, of Kissimmee was traveling in the same lane. Rivera, the highway patrol said, was unable to see and stop for the disabled truck and trailer. Rivera’s Toyota struck the rear of the trailer.

Hernandez, the report said, saw the car coming and “jumped off of the bridge and into the waterway to avoid being struck.”

Hernandez was pulled out of the water by units from St. Petersburg Fire Rescue. That agency noted in an email to media that he had to tread water until help arrived.

Hicks, Hernandez and Carballo suffered minor injuries in the crash. They were taken to Tampa General Hospital to be checked out, the highway patrol report noted. Rivera was seriously injured and was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital for treatment, St. Petersburg Fire Rescue said.

Hicks was cited for having an improper, unsecured load.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol