St. Petersburg, FL – A Clearwater woman died early Sunday morning after a pickup truck allegedly ran off the Sunshine Skyway Bridge when the driver reportedly fell asleep, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash occurred around 4 a.m. in the southbound lanes just beyond the rest area on the bridge.
Investigators said a 21-year-old man from Pinellas Park was driving a Chevrolet Colorado with a 27-year-old Clearwater woman in the passenger seat, along with two additional passengers whose names have not been released.
FHP stated that the driver allegedly fell asleep while traveling southbound.
The truck then drifted off the roadway and struck a tree before hitting a guardrail.
The impact caused the Clearwater woman to be ejected from the vehicle.
Emergency responders transported her to a nearby hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
According to troopers, the driver and the two remaining passengers were not injured in the crash.
FHP has not announced any charges, and as of the latest available information, no arrest report has been released in connection with the incident.
The collision prompted authorities to shut down all southbound lanes of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge for several hours.
Traffic was redirected through the nearby rest area while first responders cleared debris and investigators examined the crash scene.
The lane closures caused significant delays for early morning travelers heading toward Manatee County.
The Florida Highway Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash and has not released additional details.