Crime & Safety
Driver Struck, Killed While Changing Tire Along I-275 In Pinellas County
Officials are seeking the other driver, who is accused of hitting the 37-year-old while he was stopped along the shoulder.
PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — A Lakeland man died after being hit by another driver while he was changing his tire on the side of I-275 in Pinellas County on Friday night, officials said.
State troopers are now looking for the driver responsible, and said they were possibly operating an unknown model Tesla.
Officials said the 37-year-old victim was southbound on 275, just north of 4th Street North, when he got a flat tire. He pulled his Mazda to a stop along the shoulder, and got out to change the tire.
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A passing vehicle failed to move over and ended up hitting the man, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. First responders took him to an area hospital, where he later died. Officials have not yet released his name.
The collision happened around 8:20 p.m. near milepost 32, authorities said.
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Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call *FHP (*347) or Crime Stoppers at **TIPS.
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