TAMPA, FL- Tampabay.com writes that a driver in a stolen car fled police officers this week, leading to a high-speed pursuit that ended in a tragic car accident. The overnight incident began when police identified a Nissan Altima as a stolen vehicle. The car was reportedly packed with people at the time, and officers attempted […]
Fatal collision in Tampa
TAMPA, FL- Tampabay.com writes that a driver in a stolen car fled police officers this week, leading to a high-speed pursuit that ended in a tragic car accident. The overnight incident began when police identified a Nissan Altima as a stolen vehicle. The car was reportedly packed with people at the time, and officers attempted to pull the car over at the intersection of East Kennedy Boulevard and North Dale Mabry Highway.
Rather than stopping for officers, the driver fled the scene. The police began the pursuit, following the Nissan onto West Cypress Boulevard until the car crashed.
Police were able to pull two of the individuals from the car and provide aid until emergency medical personnel arrived on the scene. The other four individuals were trapped inside the car and died at the scene.
Images from the crash site show a wrecker towing the mangled remains of the Nissan from the site of the collision.
Investigators have not released many details about the accident and stated that they are still working to identify the victims. A spokesperson for the police stated that the incident had nothing to do with demonstrations or protests against police brutality that were occurring in the area.
The morning after the deadly crash, Cypress Street remained cordoned off, and drivers were directed to find alternate routes. By mid-morning, the coroner’s office had removed the last of the four bodies from the damaged vehicle. According to officers, the event was a tragic incident.
Throughout the nation, on average, 355 people are killed in police chases every year. About one in three of those victims is an innocent bystander.
