Tampa Man Killed When Tire Blows, SUV Flips Over On I-4

PLANT CITY, FL -- A 31-year-old Tampa man has died following a crash on Interstate 4 near the Branch Forbes Road exit on Saturday.

At 6:05 p.m. on April 20, Kilbert Medina Rijos was driving a Chevrolet SUV west on I-4 west of Branch Forbes Road when a tire on the SUV blew out. Rijos lost control and entered the center median where the SUV flipped over.

Both Rijos and his front seat passenger, Jennifer Rodriguez, 35, of Tampa weren't wearing seat belts and were ejected from the SUV. Rijos died at the scene and Rodriguez was transported to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center with serious injuries.

Two children riding in the back, 13-year-old Elliot Santana and 1-year-old Mia Medina, were restrained and received only minor injuries.