Multi Vehicle Crash, 12 Patients I-275/Fowler in Tampa

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• published: 12 May 2011
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TAMPA — A three-car crash on Interstate 275 south of Fowler Avenue sent 12 people to the hospital late Sunday evening, including three with serious injuries, and temporarily closed a portion of the highway, officials said. A maroon GMC Envoy carrying nine passengers was driving north on the interstate shortly before 9 p.m. when it hit a center retaining wall, rebounded and hit a black Lexus IS 300 and a white Pontiac Sunfire before going over a guardrail and rolling down an embankment, authorities said. At least two people in the Envoy were ejected. The Pontiac, which held three people, stopped in the middle of the interstate after sustaining severe damage. The Lexus, carrying one person, had its driver-side door smashed into a highway sign support post. One person from the Envoy was taken to Tampa General Hospital and two others were taken to St. Joseph's Hospital, all with serious injuries, according to Tampa Fire Rescue. Nine others involved in the wreck were taken to area hospitals with nonlife-threatening injuries. The crash temporarily closed northbound lanes of the interstate. Officials reopened one lane about an hour after the crash.