15-Year-Old Girl Dies In DUI Crash On Gandy Bridge

TAMPA, FL — A 15-year-old girl has died following an accident on the Gandy Bridge that resulted in the arrest of a Riverview man on charges of driving under the influence.

According to Tampa Police, at 4:15 a.m. Thursday, a 2008 Infiniti Q35 driven by a 20-year-old man ran out of gas as it was crossing east on the Gandy Bridge.

The driver pulled over to the shoulder and got out of the car. He told police that's when he noticed what appeared to be a drunk driver in a 2021 Honda Accord swerving from side to side heading toward him. He attempted to warn the passengers in his car before the Honda Accord crashed into the Infiniti.

The driver of the Infiniti sustained critical injuries. A 15-year-old girl who had gotten out of the passenger side of the Infiniti was killed. A 20-year-old man seated in the rear passenger seat sustained a minor injury to his leg after it was pinned between the car and a guardrail. And a 17-year-old girl, also seated in the rear passenger seat, sustained minor injuries.

The driver of the Honda, 28-year-old Sebastian Gutierrez of Rivercrest Drive in Riverview, remained at the scene. He had no injuries. Police said he demonstrated signs of impairment. He was taken to the Hillsborough County Jail where he was charged with DUI manslaughter.