Troopers say the crash caused both vehicles to rotate into a ditch, sending three children and two adults to the hospital.
TAMPA, Fla. — A 6-year-old girl is dead after a crash involving a Temple Terrace police officer, officials say.
The Florida Highway Patrol says this happened before 4 p.m. Wednesday when a 36-year-old Tampa woman was driving a Nissan Pathfinder eastbound on East Fowler Avenue with three children, ages one, eight and six, in the car. Meanwhile, a 25-year-old officer was driving a marked Temple Terrace Police Ford Explorer westbound.
At the intersection, the woman made a U-turn and crashed into the path of the police cruiser, causing both SUVs to rotate into a ditch, FHP says.
All five people involved in the crash were taken to the hospital for injuries.
Troopers confirmed the 6-year-old girl later died while receiving treatment. The woman, the officer and the two other children all received non-life-threatening injuries.
Temple Terrace PD provided this statement regarding the crash:
“We are deeply saddened to learn that the female passenger involved in the crash has died as a result of her injuries. On behalf of our entire department, we extend our sincere condolences to her family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
FHP is continuing to investigate this crash.
Editor’s note: Officials previously told 10 Tampa Bay News that the 36-year-old driver died in the crash. The article has since been corrected to reflect that it was the 6-year-old passenger who died.