Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Teen's rollover triggered I-75 pileup, injuries

A crash near Brandon leads to a collision and a night of multiple injuries.

By Times Staff Writer
Published October 15, 2005

TAMPA - December S. Dukes, the Riverview teen who lost control of her car along Interstate 75 late Thursday and spawned a messy pileup with multiple injuries, was released Friday from St. Joseph's Hospital.

One of the crash victims, 21-year-old Donald J. Bryan, remained in critical condition at Tampa General Hospital, said hospital spokeswoman Ellen Fiss. Florida Highway Patrol troopers, meanwhile, continued to investigate the crash near Brandon.

Dukes, 16, of 12517 Dawn Vista Drive, was driving a 1999 Volvo north on I-75 near U.S. 301 when she ran off the road and hit a guardrail, the FHP reported. The Volvo rolled several times, ejected Duke onto the grassy median and landed upside down in the middle of the highway. A 2002 Honda driven by Andres Guajando, 24, of 12218 Big Bend Road in Riverview, hit the Volvo. That collision led to three fender benders, said the FHP's spokesman, Trooper Larry Coggins.

Guajando and one of his three passengers, 26-year-old Elizabeth Belmarez, were flown by helicopter to St. Joseph's Hospital, where they remained Friday. Belmarez is in serious condition, said hospital spokesman Will Darnall. Guajando is in good condition, according to Darnall. Guajando's other passengers, 9-year-old Gabriella Villareao and 23-year-old Javier Belmarez, were taken to Tampa General Hospital, according to the FHP.

Dukes' three passengers - Bryan, Michael G. Maneri, 22, and Danielle Pontious, 17 - also were taken to TGH. Fiss on Friday could only confirm that Bryan remained at the hospital in critical condition.

Coggins said the crash forced troopers to close all but one northbound lane of I-75 for three hours.

Charges are pending.

[Last modified October 15, 2005, 01:14:05]