A late-night drive on 56th Street ended in tragedy early Sunday when a single-car crash killed a passenger and left the Tampa driver facing a felony, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers say that at about 1:50 a.m. yesterday, a Hyundai Elantra heading south on 56th Street, just north of Hillsborough Avenue, lost control, rotated toward the outside shoulder, hit a traffic sign and then slammed into a utility pole. Both people in the car were rushed to a local hospital. The passenger, a 37-year-old Tampa woman, later died from her injuries.
As reported by Tampa Free Press, troopers identified the driver as 41-year-old Cornelius Pulcher Taylor of Tampa. FHP says Taylor is now charged with “Driving with a Suspended License with Knowledge Involving a Death.” Officials have not yet released the victim’s name.
Where the crash happened
The deadly collision unfolded in the 56th Street Redevelopment Area, a corridor that has been on local planners’ radar for years because of safety concerns and aging infrastructure.
A 56th Street infrastructure assessment from Hillsborough County calls for intersection upgrades, speed management measures and complete-street style changes in an effort to cut down on crashes along the stretch.
Charges and legal context
According to troopers, Taylor’s charge, driving with a suspended license with knowledge and involving a death, reflects an added level of severity when someone with a suspended license is involved in a crash that results in a fatality.
Florida Statutes Chapter 322 outlines penalties for driving on a suspended license and specifies tougher consequences when a crash leads to death or serious injury.
Troopers have not said whether speed, impairment or any other factor contributed to the wreck, and the investigation remains active as prosecutors review the case. The initial report from Tampa Free Press notes that FHP is the primary source for the crash details, and additional information could surface once court filings begin.
