2 Dead in Fiery Veterans Expressway Crash

TAMPA, FL — An early Saturday morning crash on the Veterans Expressway left two people dead after their vehicle hit a barrier wall and burst into flames. A third person now faces DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide charges.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Anward Daqud Askar, 54, of Tampa was heading north on the expressway in the outside lane at a high rate of speed around 2:20 a.m. Oct. 22. Askar’s vehicle overtook a Pontiac in front of it, but struck the car in the rear.

Troopers say the Pontiac was forced to the outside shoulder. It then hit a concrete traffic barrier, coming to rest on the exit ramp to Independence Parkway. At that time, the Pontiac became fully engulfed in flames, a highway patrol report said.

Askar’s vehicle also struck a concrete traffic barrier after the initial collision, the report said.

Both people in the Pontiac died at the scene, the report said. Their names have not yet been releaed.

Askar was taken to Tampa General Hospital with serious injuries. He now faces two counts of DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide, the patrol said.

No further information is being released at this time.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol