Man Charged In Alcohol-Related Dale Mabry, Waters Avenue Crash

TAMPA, FL — The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a three-vehicle collision at the intersection of North Dale Mabry Highway and Waters Avenue that sent three people to the hospital with serious injuries Wednesday morning.

According to the patrol, a 2009 Toyota Yaris driven Nicholas Quinn Billings, 20, of New Port Richey was heading east on Waters Avenue around 5 a.m. Dec. 21. At that time, a 2009 Nissan Maxima driven by Maria Victoria Romero, 64, of Tampa was headed southbound on Dale Mabry Highway. A third vehicle, a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe, driven by Nigel Johnson Osborne, 48, of Lutz was headed north on Dale Mabry.

Billings, “impaired by alcohol, ran the red light and entered the intersection,” a highway patrol report said. After his Toyota entered the intersection, the front of the Maxima struck the front of the Toyota. The Maxima was thrust into the path of Osborne's Tahoe, the report said.

All three motorists were taken to local hospitals with serious injuries. The crash closed the intersection for several hours Wednesday morning.

Billings was charged with DUI with serious bodily injury, DUI property damage and reckless driving following the accident. Troopers are releasing no further information at this time.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol