Crime & Safety

Update: Sarasota Dies After Driving Wrong Way On I-275

Florida Highway Patrol says Christopher Jackson was driving the wrong way on the highway, striking a Jeep and injuring three Brandon residents.

Updated April 20 8:45 a.m.

A Sarasota man died Tuesday from his injuries after a crash on Interstate 275 early Sunday morning when his car was going the wrong way.

Florida Highway Patrol says that a Chevrolet Lumina driven by Christopher B. Jackson, 37, of Sarasota, was traveling northbound on I-275 in the southbound right lane approaching U.S. 19 in Terra Ceia at 2:10 a.m.

Find out what's happening in Sarasotafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

At the same time, a 2002 Jeep Wrangler was in the southbound left lane on I-275 and was struck by the Lumina, spinning both cars and blocking both lanes of the interstate and the center median, according to highway patrol.

The driver of the Wrangler, Jeremy J. Tomlinson, 24, and his passenger, Rachel E. Striker, 24, both of Brandon, are in serious condition at Blake Medical Center in Bradenton, according to highway patrol. Tyson Kenneth Gordon, 23, of Brandon was also in serious condition at Bayfront Medical Center.

Find out what's happening in Sarasotafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Both drivers are being tested to see if the crash was alcohol related, according to highway patrol, and charges are pending. Blood draws are pending analysis, according to Greg Bueno, spokesman for Florida Highway Patrol.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.