Crime & Safety

Driver Charged With DUI Manslaughter In Fatal U.S. 41 Crash: FL Troopers

An Oregon driver was charged with DUI manslaughter in a crash at a U.S. 41 intersection that left a Gibsonton man dead, FL troopers said.

GIBSONTON, FL — A 54-year-old Gibsonton man died in a crash at a U.S. 41 intersection and an Oregon man accused of driving under the influence was arrested early Saturday morning, the Florida Highway Patrol said in a news release.

The crash happened around 3:45 a.m. when a Ford pickup traveling west on Gibsonton Drive entered the intersection against a red traffic signal and collided with a northbound Cadillac Escalade, FHP said.

Both drivers were injured and brought to area hospitals.

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The SUV’s driver later died from injuries sustained in the crash, the agency said.

The pickup's driver, 21-year-old Pablo Mendez-Leyva of Oregon, was later arrested by FHP troopers and taken to the Orient Road Jail, troopers said.

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Mendez-Leyva was charged with DUI manslaughter and driving without a license resulting in death.

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