Earlier today, a serious traffic incident in Tampa claimed the life of a pedestrian. At approximately 6:57 a.m., officers responded to a collision at the junction of W. Hillsborough Ave. and N. Lois Ave., where they discovered a Hispanic male in his mid-50s with critical injuries. Despite being quickly transported to a local hospital, the man succumbed to his injuries. Names have not been released as authorities are in the process of informing the next of kin, as confirmed by the Tampa Police Department.
The Tampa Police Department initial investigation indicates that the pedestrian was crossing W. Hillsborough Ave., he was not within a marked crosswalk and that triggered a chain of events leading to the tragic accident; he was struck by a white Ford F350 that was making an eastbound turn onto the avenue. The driver of the F350 stopped and is cooperating with the police, a no doubt sudden confluence of events leading to an unforeseen tragedy.
Road closures followed the incident, with eastbound lanes of W. Hillsborough Ave. shutting down to facilitate the police investigation, though they have since been reopened. The ongoing investigation by the police highlights the interaction between vehicles and unprotected pedestrians.
Current findings suggest that speed was not a contributing factor, and officers do not expect to file criminal charges in this event. Updates on the situation will come as the Tampa Police Department delves deeper into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
