An early morning head-on collision on Treiman Boulevard (US-301) turned deadly Friday when a 27-year-old Zephyrhills woman was critically injured and later died, and two people riding in a tractor-trailer were taken to the hospital after their rig burst into flames. Investigators say a Volkswagen Jetta crossed the center line just north of Belt Drive and slammed into a northbound semi, triggering an intense blaze. All three people involved were rushed to area hospitals, and troopers say they are still working to learn why the car veered into oncoming traffic.
What troopers say happened
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash happened at about 2 a.m. on May 22 on Treiman Boulevard just north of Belt Drive and was logged in the agency's incident feed as a fatal wreck. The FHP notes that a southbound Volkswagen Jetta crossed into the northbound lane and hit a tractor-trailer, which then caught fire. In the live incident log, the location is listed as "TREIMAN BLVD x [BELT DR] [DADE CITY]."
Victims and fiery aftermath
Local coverage identified those involved as a 27-year-old woman from Zephyrhills in the Volkswagen, a 47-year-old man from Georgia behind the wheel of the tractor-trailer, and a 52-year-old Georgia woman riding in the truck as a passenger. The Tampa Free Press reported that the Volkswagen driver later died from her injuries and noted that troopers have not released the names of anyone involved or a reason for the lane departure. Emergency crews worked the scene to put out the fire after the impact, and traffic in the area was disrupted during the response.
Treiman Boulevard and US-301 safety backdrop
Treiman Boulevard forms part of US-301, a stretch the Florida Department of Transportation is in the process of widening in this area to boost capacity and safety between US-98 and SR-50. FDOT lists a multi-mile US-301 widening project across Hernando and Pasco counties that will add lanes, medians, and other safety features. Local planners have pointed to narrow two-lane sections along US-301 as higher risk for serious crashes, although officials have not linked this particular collision to the ongoing construction work.
Investigation still active
State troopers continue to investigate the circumstances of the crash and have not released further details about what caused the Jetta to cross the center line. Per the Florida Highway Patrol, the wreck remains under active review and appears in the agency's May 22 incident feed. This story will be updated if officials release additional information.
