Two Serious Crashes Reported on I-75 in Tampa Bay Area

I-75 is proving to be a dangerous highway, as it has seen two serious car crashes within a few days. Both of these incidents endangered the public, and one left a four-year-old girl in critical condition. If you have experienced a car accident in Tampa, you probably already know how dangerous our roads can be. If you’re struggling with injuries, a Tampa auto accident lawyer may be able to help you cover medical bills, missed income, and other damages.

Drunk Driver Arrested After Causing Crash on I-75

 In late April of 2025, authorities reported that a suspected drunk driver had been arrested in the Tampa Bay area after causing a crash on I-75. Police described the collision as a “wrong-way chain-reaction crash,” which tells you everything you need to know about how serious it was.

The suspect was reportedly traveling south in the northbound lanes of I-75 near Palmetto at 4:00 AM when the accident occurred. While traveling the wrong way down the highway, he slammed into another vehicle head-on. After this initial crash, a third vehicle collided with the two wrecked cars. This third vehicle then veered into the median and crashed into a cable barrier.

A fourth vehicle then approached the crash scene and collided with the debris, although it only sustained minor damage. The initial head-on collision injured the driver of a pickup truck and her passenger. Both victims suffered serious injuries despite wearing seatbelts. The drivers of the third and fourth vehicles suffered extremely minor injuries.

Police tested the suspected drunk driver and found that his BAC level was 1.58 – essentially twice the legal limit. He was subsequently arrested, and he will likely face felony DUI charges.

Four-Year-Old Girl Critically Injured After I-75 Crash 

A few days later, another crash on I-75 injured a small girl. The Florida Highway Patrol states that a man driving his sedan at midnight rear-ended a van while approaching Colonial Boulevard in Lee County. The girl was sitting in the van when the impact occurred, and she suffered serious injuries. Another seven-year-old girl in the van also suffered minor injuries. Finally, a passenger in the sedan suffered serious injuries.

There was no word on what caused the crash, although the Florida Highway Patrol is currently investigating. Often, rear-end accidents like these are caused by distraction, intoxication, or fatigue. Sometimes, drivers simply follow vehicles too closely – and at a dangerous speed.

Can a Tampa Auto Accident Lawyer Help Me? 

A Tampa auto accident lawyer may be able to help if you’re recovering from a car crash. Whether your accident occurred on a major highway like I-75 or a rural road, you have the right to consider your legal options. It may be possible to pursue a claim against a negligent driver, especially if you have suffered serious injuries. Reach out to Anderson & Anderson to learn more about the next steps.

Sources: 

abcactionnews.com/news/state/tampa-girl-4-in-critical-condition-after-i-75-crash-fhp

fox13news.com/news/suspected-drunk-driver-arrested-following-wrong-way-chain-reaction-crash-i-75-manatee-county-fhp