A Tampa man has died after a head-on collision with a semi-truck in Polk County. The Polk County Sheriff's Office and Fire Rescue were called to the crash site around 3:16 a.m. Saturday near the intersection of US 98 North and Earnest Road. The collision was the result of the 36-year-old Tampa man’s attempt to overtake slower-moving traffic, as per officials.
The crash occurred when the man, driving a 2020 Chevy Silverado, veered into the northbound lane while heading southbound, colliding with an oncoming semi-truck. According to a news release from the sheriff's office, reported by WFLA, the Tampa man died instantly from the impact.
Further details from WTSP note that the semi-truck's driver and passenger escaped the incident unharmed. The road was closed for about five hours following the collision as crews worked to clear the scene.
Ongoing investigations by the Polk County authorities have indicated that there are no expected criminal or civil charges related to the crash. The driver of the semi-truck, cruising northbound, saw the pickup truck too late, as it emerged trying to pass another car, according to details provided by ABC Action News. The authorities are treating this tragic event as an accident and will continue to dissect its circumstances in the coming days.
