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Child dies in Gibsonton wreck
By ABBIE VANSICKLE
Published March 20, 2007
GIBSONTON -- A 9-year-old Tennessee boy died Tuesday morning in a car accident after his mother pulled out in front of a dump truck, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Anthony Landis, of Cowan, Tenn., died at the scene of the accident at Big Bend Road near the entrance ramp to northbound Interstate 75, said FHP Trooper Larry Coggins. Neither driver was injured, but four passengers were flown to Tampa General Hospital for treatment, Coggins said. The collision happened at 8:40 a.m., when a 2005 Ford sport utility vehicle driven by Yvonne Landis, 37, of Cowan, Tenn., made a left turn in front of an eastbound dump truck driven by Jorge Botero, 36, of Temple Terrace, Coggins said. Troopers said Botero tried to swerve to avoid the collision, but he wasn’t able to move in time. “The evidence is pretty indicative that she made a left turn in front of the other vehicle,” Coggins said. “The truck driver had nowhere to go.” Botero was not injured. There were eight people in the SUV, Coggins said. Landis, the driver, was not injured. Also unhurt were Beth Morrison, 37, of Wimauma and Donna Jokinen, 57, of Wimauma, Coggins said. Heather Simmons, 30, of Cowan, Tenn., was flown to TGH, where she was listed in fair condition, said hospital spokesman John Dunn. Her son, Dillion Hanna, 6, was in critical condition. Her daughter, Nicole Simmons, 4, was listed in fair condition.
The driver’s son, Brandon Landis, 5, was in critical condition, Dunn said. Those four were all in the emergency room shortly after 11 a.m. Tuesday, so their conditions were subject to change, Dunn said. Investigators are still trying to figure out where everyone sat inside the SUV. It’s also unclear who wore a seat belt. No one was ejected from either vehicle. Investigators don’t believe alcohol was a factor in the crash, and no charges have been filed. The entrance ramp was closed immediately after the crash, but was reopened by 10 a.m. The Landis family came to Florida to visit family and friends in Wimauma, Coggins said. Cowan is located about an hour northwest of Chattanooga, Tenn. Botero works in the Gibsonton area. His dump truck was empty at the time of the accident, Coggins said.
[Last modified March 20, 2007, 12:03:19]
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by Another Truck Driver
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03/20/07 10:32 PM
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the intersection is dangerous!I dont go that way cause i cant handle to way people dont respect other drivers and think its "their" road, when its not ...
Our city is growing fast and action needs to be taken to make our roads safer for all of us.
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by lynda
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03/20/07 10:05 PM
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peolpe need to be more carefully,when getting on and off the exit ramps.my husband and i are former police officers,and we have seen,a lot of accident like that.
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by merri
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03/20/07 07:25 PM
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how many wrecks are there going to be before the county puts back the stop light?!!!!
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by jack s
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03/20/07 05:47 PM
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to exroadie the intersection is not the danger, irresponsible drivers are. charges should be filed against the SUV driver. She crossed the Trucks right of way. Had more passengers than the vehicle had seat belts. failed to properly restrain children
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by summerfield sandy
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03/20/07 05:37 PM
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I say to my husband everyday, a light and planning needs to be done at the intersaction. Yet again, a child has to die before the city looks into a hazardous intersection.
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by Trayci
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03/20/07 05:16 PM
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My heart goes out to these families. My husband drives an F250 and we always have something in tow.People don't realize the weight behind these vehicles and they will cut you off and pull out in front of you and expect you to stop.WITH KIDS BE SAFE
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by cortney
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03/20/07 04:17 PM
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i feel so bad for the kid and the poeple that was hurt in the accident
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by exroadie
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03/20/07 04:02 PM
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VERY dangerous intersection! A traffic light has been needed there for a long time. There are to many close calls daily there with cars getting on and off the interstate there and don't forget the people who make the illegial u-turn at the underpass!
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by lisa
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03/20/07 12:53 PM
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my boyfriend drives a dump truck and he says people always turn in front of those kinds of trucks thinking they are not going fast.the driver of the dump truck has to brake suddenly and when they are full of dirt it is really hard for them to stop.
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