RIVERVIEW, Fla. – A tragic multi-vehicle crash on southbound Interstate 75 in the Riverview area resulted in the loss of four lives, including two young boys. The incident, which occurred just after 3 p.m. on I-75 South, took the lives of a father, mother, son, and the boy’s 14-year-old cousin, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
The Florida Highway Patrol reported that the crash involved two pickup trucks traveling southbound on I-75 in adjacent lanes. The collision occurred when one truck attempted to switch lanes, causing both vehicles to spin out. The first truck landed in the grass median, ejecting the driver and all three passengers, resulting in fatal injuries for all four occupants.
The driver, a 36-year-old man, along with a 34-year-old woman and their 12-year-old son, all from Clearwater, lost their lives in the crash. The boy’s 14-year-old cousin, from Texas, succumbed to their injuries at the hospital. It was reported that none of the occupants in the first truck were wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident.
In contrast, the driver of the second truck and the two young children riding in the back emerged unharmed, having come to a controlled stop in the inside emergency lane. Notably, they were all wearing seatbelts, underscoring the life-saving importance of this safety measure.
According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, nearly 50% of child passenger fatalities in 2022 were attributed to the lack of any type of restraint. This sobering statistic emphasizes the critical role of seatbelt usage, especially for young passengers.
Following the tragedy, all southbound lanes of I-75 were impeded for several hours, with traffic being diverted off Exit 254, although the roadway has since reopened. The devastating crash serves as a stark reminder of the importance of seatbelt usage and adherence to safety measures while on the road.