Street Racing Crash Kills Pickup Truck Driver in Hillsborough County

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on May 24, 2023

Authorities in Hillsborough County are currently searching for the second driver and vehicle believed to have been involved in a street racing crash that claimed the life of one person on U.S. Highway 41 yesterday afternoon.

According to auto accident reports from the Florida Highway Patrol covering Hillsborough County, it was shortly before 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, when a Dodge Charger and a red, sedan-style vehicle were racing each other at high speeds in the southern direction of U.S. Highway 41 near the Palm River-Clair Mel neighborhood.

Officials indicate that as the pair pulled up to the approaching intersection with South 16th Avenue, a 26-year-old man from Tampa driving a pickup entered the area from eastbound South 16th Avenue and attempted to turn left onto the highway. This positioned the truck in the direct path of the oncoming Dodge Charger and the two vehicles were involved in a collision that was so forceful that it split the pickup in half upon impact. The front portion of the truck flipped over several times while the back piece came to a stop in the northbound lanes of U.S. 41.

A semi-truck in the vicinity of the accident when it occurred also sustained damage, however, there are conflicting reports as to which vehicle crashed into it.

Immediately after the collision, the driver of the sedan-style car fled the scene.

Hillsborough County first responders and troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol were dispatched to the scene of the multi-vehicle accident. Upon their arrival, they discovered that the 26-year-old driver of the pickup had suffered severe injuries during the incident and had already passed away. He was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

The driver of the Dodge Charger suffered minor injuries. Their identity has not been released to the public.

Hillsborough County investigators have a traffic light photo of the second vehicle that can be found here. If you have any information regarding this fatal street racing accident, please contact your local law enforcement agency, the state’s toll-free Crimeline at (800) 423-TIPS, or the Florida Highway Patrol at *FHP (347) from your cell phone or mobile device.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.