A marked Tampa police cruiser flipped onto its side Saturday morning after colliding with a HART bus and a sedan at the intersection of North 34th Street and East Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, sending three people to hospitals for evaluation. The crash happened around 9 a.m. in the middle of the intersection, and Tampa police investigators remained there through the morning.
According to the Tampa Free Press, the police cruiser was traveling east on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard while the HART bus was headed south on 34th Street when the two collided, with the cruiser rolling onto its side in the impact. A 2017 Dodge Charger was also involved in the three-vehicle crash, according to the same report.
The officer driving the cruiser was alone in the vehicle and had served 12 years on the force, the station's report states. He suffered a head laceration and was taken to a local hospital for care, per the same account.
Bus Passengers and Driver Also Evaluated
Two adult passengers aboard the HART bus were taken to a nearby hospital for medical evaluation out of caution, even though no serious injuries were reported on board, according to the City of Tampa. Authorities reported no severe injuries among anyone on the bus, the Tampa Free Press noted separately.
The driver and sole occupant of the Dodge Charger reported a minor leg injury and was treated and released at the scene, the city's statement says. That driver was the only person inside the car at the time of the crash, the Tampa Free Press reported.
Police Pledge More Details as Inquiry Continues
Tampa police traffic investigators remained at the intersection through the morning working the scene, and the department said it will release more information as the inquiry moves forward, according to the Tampa Free Press. Preliminary crash details were released per the Tampa Police Department as the investigation got underway.
Acting Chief Brett Owen said initial reports indicated no critical injuries and wished everyone a swift recovery, adding that his thoughts were with everyone involved in the collision, according to the City of Tampa. No further details on what led to the collision, including which vehicle had the right of way, have been released.
