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Woman seriously injured on I-275

Traffic is backed up for two hours after the collision of a truck and a Jeep Wrangler.

By Times Staff Writer
Published January 11, 2006

TAMPA - A 25-year-old Seminole Heights woman was flown to Tampa General Hospital with critical injuries Tuesday, following a morning collision with a 2002 Freightliner. The crash backed up traffic along Interstate 275 for more than two hours.

Misty L. Schroeder of 1219 E Clifton St. was driving a 1993 Jeep Wrangler in the northbound center lane of I-275 near Fowler Avenue at 8:40 a.m. Traffic ahead of Schroeder slowed down, but she did not, Florida Highway Patrol troopers said.

To avoid hitting the cars ahead, Schroeder veered into the inside lane, where Donald L. Eckert of St. Petersburg was driving the semitrailer truck, according to a Highway Patrol report. Eckert, 56, of 3743 15th Ave. N steered the truck to the left to avoid hitting the Jeep, but the front left side of the truck hit the concrete barrier instead.

The front of the truck then hit the left side of the Jeep, totaling it. Both vehicles ended up on the paved inside shoulder of northbound I-275. Eckert, who wore a seat belt, was not injured. The Highway Patrol said Schroeder was wearing a seat belt, but she was critically injured.

A helicopter transported her to TGH, where she remained Tuesday night in critical condition, said hospital spokesman John Dunn.

Troopers closed all but two lanes of northbound I-275 for 21/2 hours while they investigated the crash and cleared the scene.

Any charges are pending the outcome of the investigation.

[Last modified January 11, 2006, 00:40:10]