TAMPA, FL – Early Sunday, 2 women and one man died when their vehicle collided head-on with a semi tractor-trailer travelling in the northbound lanes of Interstate 275 just south of Bearss Ave. in Tampa.
The victims have been identified as 33-year-old Gabrielle Nicole Lanier, driver of the Honda, and passengers, 31-year-old Lakrita R. Lanier and 26-year-old John Lee Pierson.
The 2013 Honda Civic was traveling in the wrong direction. The driver and 2 passengers were pronounced dead at the accident spot, according to the FHP repot.
The semi was carrying petroleum for Gemini Motor Transport. Michael F. Kellogg of Lakeland was driving the truck and didn’t sustain any injury in the collision. No fuel spill happened in the accident.
Both vehicles stopped in the northbound lanes of the roadway after the collision. The interstate was shut down for several hours as drivers in the area were diverted off at Fletcher Ave.
It is not confirmed where the wrong-way vehicle originated from and the incidents is still under investigation.
50-year-old Kellogg is a resident of Lakeland, according to the report.
To remember the sisters, a large number of family members and friends gathered at Gabrielle Lanier’s home in New Tampa.
Zebadiah Lanier, Lakritra’s ex-husband said, “They were beautiful people. Beautiful souls, beautiful individuals. I would say it’s a very great loss not only for our family but people who came into contact with them. Crossed their paths”. He told that he spoke with Lakritra on Saturday. “Our sons had a football game and I was telling her that, she wasn’t able to make it yesterday, but I told her moving forward, the next game that they have, I want her to be there. I want us to connect with the kids together. Man, you just never know”.
This is the 4th time in this year that a wrong-way driver has created a deadly accident on I-275 in Tampa. In August, a 23-year-old Tampa man died when his 1997 Honda Accord hit an ambulance near the I-4 junction.
A FHP report on the incident showed that Edward Jose Duran was riding north in the southbound lanes of I-275 near Floribraska Ave. when the accident happened just before 3 am on Friday, 15th of August.
4 University of South Florida students died in February when the vehicle they were riding in was hit head-on by a Sports Utility Vehicle driven by Daniel Lee Morris. The 28-year-old Tampa man was driving under the influence and had traces of marijuana in his system.
Morris was travelling north in the southbound lanes near Busch Blvd. when he hit a 2010 Hyundai Sonata. 21-year-old Dammie Yesudhas, 21-year-old Jobin Kuriakose, 20-year-old Imtiyaz Jim Ilias, and 22-year-old Ankeet Patel and Morris were all pronounced dead at the accident spot.
A 25-year-old Riverview man died after his 1993 red Honda Civic hit a box truck while traveling north in the southbound lanes of I-275 near Bearss. At the time of the accident, Chase KalebLeveille’s blood-alcohol content was 0.21 percent. A A similar incident also happened in February. If you or someone you know has been affected by such incidents, consider consulting with a Hudson truck accident lawyer who can provide guidance and support during difficult times.
FHP said that a majority of wrong way accidents are the result of alcohol or drug abuse. Investigators believe it will be 4-6 weeks before toxicology results from Sunday’s accident are available.
News Source: TampaBay News