Treasure Island Man Dead After I-275 Head-On Crash

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — Two men were hospitalized following a Tuesday morning crash on southbound Interstate 275. One of the men died Tuesday afternoon as law enforcement continued to search for a possible witness to the accident.

The crash in question occurred around 9:19 a.m. Nov. 8. The Florida Highway Patrol said Thomas Scott Conely, 40, of St. Petersburg was heading north on I-275 in the outside lane at that time. As Conely drove north of 54th Avenue South in a Ford van, another Ford van driven by Matthew Clifton Bassett, 35, of Treasure Island was heading south in the center lane.

Troopers say a blue pickup truck that had been stopped on the northbound outside shoulder entered into Conely’s path. Conely took evasive action to avoid the truck, but lost control of his van, a highway patrol report said.

Conely’s van left the road, crossed the median, traveled into the southbound lanes and moved into the path of Bassett's oncoming van, the report said. The two vans ultimately collided head-on, the patrol said.

Bassett and Conely were both taken to local hospitals in critical condition following the crash, the highway patrol said. Bassett's death was announced by the highway patrol around 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Troopers are looking for the driver of the blue pickup truck. The vehicle, the report said, continued north on I-275 after the crash. Anyone with information about the truck or its driver is asked to call FHP at 813-631-4020.

No further information is available at this time. Charges are pending the outcome of the investigation.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol