TAMPA - An 81-year-old Tampa man crashed his truck into a support pole and died Tuesday night, police said.
Tampa police identified the victim as Frank Palaez of 1005 E New Orleans Ave.
Palaez was headed east on Hillsborough Avenue and about to turn southbound onto Interstate 275 when a westbound vehicle turned in front of him, police said.
The elderly man's beige 1982 GMC truck veered left, brushed the vehicle and accelerated toward a thick concrete support pole just yards away. Palaez was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
His truck clipped Andrew Scott's burgundy Chrysler PT Cruiser. Scott, 27, of St. Petersburg was not injured, but was cited for making an improper left turn. No criminal charges will be filed against Scott, police said.
Police weren't sure how fast Palaez was driving upon impact. A witness said the truck "was in full acceleration," Sgt. Laura Ladd said.
An autopsy will be performed by the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner.
