Driver Dies While Pushing Disabled Car Off Road

THONOTOSASSA, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a multi-vehicle crash on U.S. 301 in Thonotosassa that left one man dead.

At around 7 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10, a Hillsborough County school bus traveling north on U.S. 301 stopped at St. Francis Lane to pick up a student.

Damian Jerel Wellington, 25, of Zephyrhills, stopped his Nissan 240SX behind the bus to wait for the child to board. That’s when his car died.

Wellington was in the process of pushing his car onto the shoulder of the road when state troopers say he was struck from behind by motorist Walter Bermudez, 58, of Tampa, who was also traveling north on U.S. 301.

Bermudez’ car was then propelled to the intersection of St. Francis Lane where he collided with a pickup truck driven by Ashley Webster, 23, of Thonotosassa.

Wellington was transported to Florida Hospital Zephyrhills where he died from injuries sustained in the crash. There were no other injuries reported.

Photo via Pixabay: Photographer Geralt