TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Authorities say a Good Samaritan was fatally struck by a vehicle as he was helping the victims of a crash on Interstate 75 in Gibsonton.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 28-year-old Tampa man had stopped to help some people who were involved in a crash on Interstate 75 near Gibsonton Drive.
According to the Highway Patrol, the driver of a black Toyota—a 19-year-old from St. Cloud—was heading south on the interstate in the inside center lane, but failed to stay in his lane and rear-ended a tanker truck in another lane. The Toyota overturned and the tanker stopped on the outside shoulder.
A white Toyota behind them slowed down to avoid a collision, but was rear-ended by a Ford that did not stop in time.
Troopers said a Lexus driver pulled over to help, then a semi-truck carrying plywood crashed into the black Toyota, sending the car across the southbound lanes. The semi-truck went onto the outside shoulder and pushed the other Toyota into the Ford before it crashed into the guardrail and spilled plywood into a ravine.
The Highway Patrol said the Good Samaritan was struck by at least one of the vehicles. He died at the scene.
Authorities blocked off the southbound lanes of I-75 at U.S. 301. Two lanes have since reopened. One lane and an emergency lane remain closed.
