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The Florida Highway Patrol hasreported that three people were killed in the early morning hours of July 2 when a Volkswagen Beetle struck a Ford Explorer head-on in Hillsborough County. Preliminary investigations indicate that the Volkswagen stuck the Ford while attempting to pass another vehicle. The accident took place on U.S. Highway 301 near Thonotosassa at approximately 5:40 a.m.

The 28-year-old woman behind the wheel of the Volkswagen and the 24-year-old male driver of the Explorer were both pronounced dead at the scene. The man had been ejected from his SUV by the impact. His 24-year-old male passenger was also pronounced dead at the scene by first responders. Troopers at the scene said that the woman had not been wearing a safety belt. The woman had been traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 301 when she moved into the northbound lane to pass another vehicle near Stacy Road.

Two pickup trucks were also involved. The wrecked SUV burst into flames after being struck by a northbound Ford F-150, and the second Ford was in turn struck by a Chevrolet. A passenger from the second Ford and the driver of the Chevrolet were transported to an area hospital with minor injuries. The accident and its aftermath caused U.S. Highway 301 to be closed to both northbound and southbound traffic for more than five hours.

Wrong-way crashes often cause catastrophic or fatal injuries, and the financial uncertainty that comes with the loss of a breadwinner can make life even more difficult for families already under great pressure. When an individual dies due to the negligent behavior of others, personal injury attorneys may seek compensation on behalf of the surviving family members by filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault motorist.

Source: BayNews9, “Three people identified in fatal Thonotosassa crash”, Sara Belsole, July 3, 2016