U.S. 19, 'Deadliest Road In America,' Claims 3 More Lives

PINELLAS AND PASCO COUNTY, FL — The roadway through Pinellas and Pasco counties that has earned the dubious title of deadliest road in America claimed three more lives on Sunday. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, more than 30 people have been killed on U.S. 19 since Jan. 1.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 79-year-old man from New Port Richey was driving an SUV north on U.S. 19 when he turned left into the path of a pickup truck driven by a 35-year-old man from Spring Hill.

The New Port Richey man died at the accident scene. The pickup truck driver had his three daughters, ages 10, 8 and 4 in the truck with him. They all suffered minor injuries.

A 25-year-old driver and a 66-year-old passenger also died following a crash Sunday on U.S. 19 North at Gateway Centre Boulevard in Pinellas Park.

According to Pinellas Park police traffic homicide investigators, at 7:39 p.m. a white Nissan Rogue was driving north on U.S. 19 North when it crossed over the median into the southbound lanes, crashing head on into a red Toyota RAV4.

A gray Chrysler 200 was traveling behind the Toyota RAV4 and was also involved in the crash.

The driver of the Nissan Rogue, Roberto Rodriguez, was pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger of the Toyota RAV4, Kim Nguyen, was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead. The driver of the Toyota was taken to the hospital with critical injuries.