Two construction workers were seriously hurt Wednesday morning after an SUV drove into an active work zone and hit a construction truck on State Road 574 in Hillsborough County. The workers, ages 20 and 36, were rushed to a nearby hospital, while the 37-year-old driver of the GMC Yukon was treated for minor injuries. Troopers say the Yukon went around a Ford F-550 that had its caution lights on, then collided with the truck. The driver was cited for careless driving.
According to Tampa Bay 28, the Florida Highway Patrol said the crash happened west of Bismark Palm Drive and that the Ford F-550 was part of an active work zone. Troopers stayed on scene to investigate, and the injured workers were taken to an area hospital for treatment. Officials did not immediately release the workers' names or updated conditions.
Where It Happened
State Road 574, which runs as Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard through Tampa, has been the focus of multiple repaving and corridor projects in recent years. The Florida Department of Transportation tracks those efforts on its project pages for SR-574. FDOT materials describe recent work along the corridor that can lead to temporary lane closures and active construction zones. Drivers are regularly warned to slow down and follow posted signs when passing through these areas.
Work-zone Risks
Even though they are supposed to keep projects safe and organized, work zones see a disproportionate share of serious crashes. Federal and clearinghouse data show that in recent years there have been roughly 800 to 900 work-zone deaths and tens of thousands of injuries annually. The Work Zone Safety Clearinghouse and the FHWA report that many of these collisions happen when drivers enter closed-off areas or hit stopped work vehicles. Transportation officials say clearer signs, tougher speed enforcement and safer work-zone layouts are all crucial to cutting those numbers.
Legal Implications
The Florida Highway Patrol cited the Yukon driver for careless driving after the crash, according to Tampa Bay 28. Depending on what investigators ultimately conclude, that citation could come into play in any civil claims or administrative actions involving employers or insurance companies, although troopers have not announced any additional charges.
Authorities have not released further details on what led up to the collision or on the current conditions of the injured workers. Drivers traveling SR-574 may see lingering delays while investigators and road crews finish their work at the scene.
