Two Separate Crashes Close Down Both Directions of I-75 in Pasco

Wesley Chapel, Florida.— One Friday night, two separate accidents in Pasco County, including a fiery crash that split a car in two and an overturned semitrailer, led to the closure of both directions of Interstate 75 along the North Suncoast, causing significant traffic disruptions.

Later that evening, another crash involving a pedestrian fatality prompted authorities to close all eastbound lanes of Interstate 4 at Hillsborough County Line Road around 10:30 p.m.

The first accident occurred on I-75 around 5:40 p.m. when a 2008 Honda Civic lost control and crossed the median into oncoming traffic. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the car split in two and caught fire after colliding with two northbound vehicles, a Chevy pickup truck and a Ford Ranger.

The Civic’s driver, a woman, was airlifted to St. Joseph’s Hospital with a severe head injury. Her condition was not available as of Friday evening. The 25-year-old driving the pickup was taken to Florida Hospital Zephyrhills with serious injuries, while the 46-year-old Largo woman driving the Ranger was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

The debris and emergency response from this accident caused traffic to back up on the southbound side of the highway, leading to a second crash. A car unexpectedly changed lanes in front of a semitrailer, causing the 40-year-old driver to brake abruptly and lose control of his vehicle.

The truck veered onto the grass shoulder, collided with a guardrail, jackknifed, and rolled onto its left side before coming to a stop on the median. Fortunately, the truck driver was unharmed.

The accidents resulted in the closure of the interstate’s northbound lanes from State Road 56 to State Road 54 in Pasco County and the southbound lanes from State Road 50 in Hernando County to State Road 56.

Did You Suffer From a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Every 21 seconds, someone in the United States suffers a traumatic brain injury or TBI for shorter. Annually, 1.5 million Americans experience a TBI, and 50,000 of those injuries are fatal.

Currently, an estimated 5.3 million Americans live with disabilities caused by TBIs. These injuries can drastically change a person’s thinking, behavior, and emotions, often transforming their lives and those of their loved ones in an instant. 

A TBI from a car accident can be extremely challenging. It occurs when the brain is damaged by sudden extreme force. Symptoms may include concussions, seizures, headaches, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, memory loss, and sometimes anxiety and depression. 

A mild TBI might only cause a brief loss of consciousness, while a severe TBI can result in a coma or amnesia. Severe TBIs often lead to paralysis, seizures, impaired speech, and sensory losses, significantly impacting the victim and their family.

TBI victims may be unable to work or perform daily activities due to their injury. The Pasco County Injury Attorneys at Whittel and Melton understand the many hardships and challenges faced by TBI victims. 

We will investigate your case, collaborate with medical professionals to assess your injuries, and consult with experts to determine fault. We recognize the long-term consequences and costs of brain trauma and are dedicated to ensuring you receive the maximum compensation for your injuries. 

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury due to a motor vehicle accident in Wesley Chapel, contact the Pasco Auto Accident Injury Lawyers online or call 727-847-2299.