TAMPA, FLa- A 24-year-old Tampa man was killed Friday night after a wrong-way driver caused a fiery multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 275 in Tampa, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash occurred around 9:15 p.m. on May 29 when a Chevy Silverado driven by a 21-year-old Tampa man traveled southbound in the northbound lanes of I-275.
Investigators said the driver had previously been involved in a hit-and-run crash along Fowler Avenue that was investigated by the Tampa Police Department. After leaving that scene, the Silverado was involved in a second hit-and-run crash south of Fowler Avenue, which was investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Authorities said the driver continued traveling in the wrong direction on I-275 before colliding nearly head-on with a Toyota Corolla driven by a 24-year-old Tampa man north of Busch Boulevard.
The violent impact caused both vehicles to overturn, and the Silverado caught fire. As the Corolla overturned, it struck a Toyota Camry driven by a 26-year-old Wesley Chapel man. That vehicle then rotated and collided with a second Toyota Camry operated by a 38-year-old Tampa man.
The driver of the Corolla suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The wrong-way driver sustained serious injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment.
The drivers of the two Camrys were not injured.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, criminal charges are pending against the driver of the Silverado as the investigation continues.