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Boy, 9, dies after vehicle collides with dump truck

The driver of the van in which the boy rode made a left turn in front of the dump truck.

By ABBIE VANSICKLE
Published March 21, 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 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 turned left 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 an SUV built to hold a maximum of seven, Coggins said. Landis, the driver, was not injured.

Also unhurt were Beth Morrison, 37, and Donna Jokinen, 57, both of Wimauma, Coggins said.

Heather Simmons, 30, of Cowan 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 good condition.

The driver's son, Brandon Landis, 5, was in critical condition, 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.

News researcher Cathy Wos contributed to this report. Abbie VanSickle can be reached at 813 226-3373 or vansickle@sptimes.com.

[Last modified March 21, 2007, 06:16:26]