I-375 Wrong-Way Driver Causes Crash, Troopers Say

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a wrong-way crash that occurred on Interstate 375 late Monday morning, leaving one person injured.

According to the patrol, Richard John Farmer, 48, of St. Petersburg was heading west in the center eastbound lane of I-375 around 11:47 a.m. As Farmer’s Hyundai Sonata proceeded west in the eastbound lane, a Mercury, driven by Timothy Daniel Stewart, 50, was headed east.

Stewart told troopers he noticed the Hyundai traveling the wrong way and he “attempted to quickly change lanes several time,” a highway patrol report said. Farmer, however, “would change to the same lane as well,” the reported noted.

Stewart swerved to the left and Farmer did the same, the report said. The two vehicles ended up colliding. Troopers say Farmer turned around after the crash and “drove east down the outside paved shoulder without a rear right wheel.”

Farmer was injured in the crash and was taken to Bayfront Health. Troopers say his injuries are not severe. Stewart and his passenger were not seriously injured.

Farmer is suspected to have been “under the influence of illegal and/or prescription drugs,” the report noted. Drug test results are pending.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol