A crash in an active construction zone on Interstate 275 in Tampa left a Florida Highway Patrol trooper, a Lakeland man, and an Ocala woman with serious injuries early Saturday.
The wreck occurred around 4:43 a.m. on northbound I-275, just south of Interstate 4, troopers said.
According to a preliminary FHP crash report, “the left lanes” were closed in the area. A trooper in a marked patrol car with its emergency lights activated was stationary in the construction zone, assisting with the lane closures, troopers said.
A Kia Forte then ran over traffic cones and into the work zone, striking an arrow board before rear-ending the FHP patrol car, the report states.
The driver of the Kia, who troopers said is “suspected of impairment,” was identified as a 24-year-old Lakeland man. His passenger was identified as a 25-year-old Ocala woman, according to FHP.
Both of the Kia’s occupants, as well as the trooper in the patrol car — identified as a 28-year-old Army veteran who has been with FHP for two years — were taken to a hospital for treatment of serious injuries, troopers said.
Toxicology results are pending for the Kia’s driver.
No other details have been shared at the time of this report.