Drivers Sustain Minor Injuries in Bruce B. Downs Pileup

Tampa police have cleared the scene of a four-vehicle accident that closed a section of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard late Saturday night, May 11.

Shortly after 11 p.m., the driver of a semi tractor-trailer, Thomas Jonovitch, 70, of 963 Essen Ave. S.W., Palm Bay, exited Interstate 75 at the Bruce B. Downs Boulevard exit ramp and failed to stop for the red light before proceeding on Bruce B. Downs.

Realizing his error, the driver locked his brakes and slid across the intersection, striking three vehicles that were stopped for a red light southbound on Bruce B. Downs.

The semi continued westbound until leaving the roadway on the west side of
Bruce B. Downs where it overturned. The dry freight from the trailer also partially spilled.

Two of the vehicles that were struck were dragged along by the semi and partially trapped beneath its overturned trailer. Tampa Fire Rescue responded and extracted the drivers from the trapped vehicles.

The drivers of all three struck vehicles were transported to area hospitals for
minor, nonlife-threatening injuries. The driver of the semi was cited for failure to stop for the red light. The total estimated damage is $100,000.