Update: Tampa Police Officer Struck by Wrong-Way Driver

Update: The Tampa Police Department has released more information about Sunday morning’s wrong-way crash on Armenia Avenue.

The accident happened around 3:43 a.m. as Hillary Whittle, 24, was driving northbound on Armenia Avenue in a 2010 Mazda 3. The road is a one-way southbound road.

Whittle is said to have struck Officer Natasha Stanek’s 2013 Dodge Charger. Stanek, a three-year veteran, had the right of way westbound going across Armenia from the off ramp of southbound Interstate 275, an email from the police department said.

“Whittle is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol but no road side sobriety test could be conducted on scene because of complaints of injury,” the email said.

Tampa Fire Rescue transported Whittle to the hospital. Stanek’s sergeant brought her in for treatment.

Stanek was later released.

Charges are pending the outcome of a blood test.

Tampa police say an independent witness confirmed the details of the accident, which totaled both cars.

Earlier: The Tampa Bay area has logged another wrong-way driving crash. This time the accident involved a Tampa Police officer.

According to the Tampa Police Department, the crash occurred early Sunday morning along Armenia Avenue at Interstate 275. Details about the crash are not readily available, but Lt. Rick Ubinas said both drivers were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The police officer was not driving the wrong-way vehicle.

The crash closed the I-275 on-ramp at Armenia Avenue for a time.

Wrong-way incidents have plagued the Tampa Bay area in recent months, with several arrests made and several fatalities reported.

See Also:

• Wrong-Way Driver on Veterans Thought She Was on I-75, Troopers Say
• Wrong-Way Driver Arrested on Veterans Expressway
• Wrong-Way Crashes: How Would You Prevent Them?
• 3 Dead in I-275 Wrong-Way Crash
• Wrong-Way Driver Collides with Ambulance in Fatal Crash
• Wrong-Way Driver Arrested in Clearwater
• Wrong-Way Driver Causes Fatal U.S. 301 Crash
• Chamberlain Teacher Arrested in I-75 Wrong-Way Driving Incident