Man Faces DUI Manslaughter Charges in Tampa After Making U-Turn Into Oncoming Traffic

U-turns are dangerous enough, but they become even more hazardous when you add alcohol into the mix. In May of 2026, a drunk driver carried out a maneuver like this with fatal consequences. If your life has been irrevocably changed after a drunk driver crash in Tampa, it makes sense to discuss your legal options with an experienced auto accident attorney.

One Dead, One Paralyzed, One With Both Legs Broken

Police say that a driver is facing multiple charges after allegedly fleeing the scene of an accident in the Tampa Bay Area. The crash left one victim dead, another paralyzed from the waist down, and a third with both legs “severely” broken. Local authorities say that the driver was heading down U.S. 19 in his Toyota when he rear-ended a Mazda. This collision sent the Toyota veering into a Ford SUV.

After this impact, the Ford SUV veered across the median and into oncoming traffic. This resulted in a head-on collision with a Hyundai SUV. The driver of the Hyundai suffered critical injuries and died not long after at a local hospital. A 24-year-old female passenger inside the Ford SUV was paralyzed from the waist down after the impact, while the driver of the Ford had both his legs severely broken.

The driver of the Toyota initially stopped on the highway for about two minutes with his hazard lights flashing before abruptly leaving the scene. He did not offer assistance or call first responders. Fortunately, deputies managed to catch up with the driver about 30 minutes later at a nearby parking lot.

Troopers quickly concluded that the driver was intoxicated, and a subsequent test determined that he had a BAC of 0.177, over twice the legal limit. While receiving treatment at a local hospital, the defendant suddenly became highly aggressive and attempted to escape. Healthcare providers managed to sedate him while officers restrained him to a hospital bed. Before he lost consciousness, the defendant threatened to kill one of the officers.

Crash Kills 21-Year-Old, Severely Injures Women and Children

This wasn’t the only major DUI crash to hit Florida that day. On May 18th, 2026, Fox 13 News reported another major crash involving alleged intoxication. A 53-year-old driver reportedly killed a 21-year-old and injured women and children on I-75 when he attempted to make a U-turn. The maneuver brought his Ford F-150 into oncoming traffic, triggering a head-on collision that killed a 21-year-old woman. Deputies say that the head-on collision also affected a woman in another vehicle, severely injuring her and two children.

Can a Tampa Auto Accident Lawyer Help Me? 

Although legal action can never bring back deceased loved ones or reverse life-altering injuries, a Tampa auto accident lawsuit can at least provide your family with a financial safety net. You can use this compensation to cover funeral bills, medical expenses, lost wages, and various non-economic (psychological) damages. Contact Anderson & Anderson today to learn more about the next potential steps.

Sources:

 fox13news.com/news/florida-drunk-driver-legal-limit-arrested-deadly-wrong-way-i-75-crash-fhp

fox13news.com/news/dui-driver-accused-fleeing-scene-pasco-county-crash-man-dead-woman-paralyzed-fhp