MULTI CAR CRASH on I-275 Sunshine Skyway in Manatee County early morning crash caused back up

MANATEE COUNTY – A multi car crash at about 8:05 a.m. this morning caused all northbound lanes of Interstate 275 to be blocked on the approach to the Sunshine Skyway.

According to a member of the St. Petersburg Fire and Rescue, the wreck involved four (4) vehicles with and one (1) person needed to be extricated from the vehicle wreckage. The injured were transported to local hospitals for treatment of their accident-related injuries.

• Van flips on Sunshine Skyway Bridge • Driver injured • FHP • EMS on the scene •

ST. PETERSBURG — According to Pinellas County Emergency Services a van overturned on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge at about 5:30 a.m.

The crash happened just past the hump of the bridge's southbound lanes. The driver, was injured in the crash and he was not taken to the hospital according to EMS.

The Florida Highway Patrol reports that the bridge is open with minor delays.

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Howard Frankland Bridge, Gandy Bridge, Bayside Bridge, Courtney Campbell Causeway and Sunshine Skyway Bridge – TRAFFIC BACKUPS CAUSE REAR-END ACCIDENT

The Howard Frankland Bridge carries (135,000 cars per day) and spans from Tampa to St. Petersburg, Florida. It is one of three busy bridges connecting Hillsborough County and Pinellas County, the others being the Gandy Bridge which carries (35,000 cars per day) and the Courtney Campbell Causeway which carries (52,500 cars per day). In addition, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge carries (50,500 cars per day), spanning Florida's Tampa Bay, is the world's longest bridge with a cable-stayed main span, with a length of 29,040 feet (exactly 5.5 miles). It is part of I-275 (SR 93) and US 19 (SR 55), connecting St. Petersburg in Pinellas County and Terra Ceia in Manatee County, Florida, passing through Hillsborough County waters. The Bayside Bridge carries (68,807 cars per day) and runs north / south taking some of the heavy traffic off of U.S. Hwy 19 which carries (77,000 cars per day) through Clearwater, Florida. http://www.pinellascounty.org/mpo/maps/TrafCou06.pdf

When traffic backs up on these bridges, incidents occur. An "incident" is a traffic event that has an impact on traffic conditions. Incidents come in many forms, including disabled vehicles, abandoned vehicles, various spills and debris, environmental events (weather), and probably the most influential, vehicle accidents. These incidents decrease flow and add additional congestion to the already busy bridges.

These "incidents" cause drivers to “rubberneck” which cause further delays and accidents. Rubbernecking also refers to the act of quickly slowing down the car and paying attention to something outside (such as another accident). This can be very dangerous, and another car may run into yours. Tailgating is also a cause of many car accidents. Rubbernecking – despite what most people might think is the foremost cause of traffic accidents and related injuries. People who live or vacation in the Tampa Bay Area are more prone to rubberneck; especially, on the Howard Frankland, Gandy, Bayside and Sunshine Skyway Bridges. In fact, many accidents can occur near or around accident scenes.

To reduce the risk of such a collision:

• move with the flow of traffic


• do not stop or slow down unless instructed to do so by officers on the scene


• pay attention to the road, and not the accident.

If you have been injured in a vehicle crash on the Howard Frankland Bridge, Gandy Bridge, Bayside Bridge, Courtney Campbell Causeway or Sunshine Skyway Bridge – call the TRIPP LAW FIRM – 24 hours a day at (888) 392-LAWS (5297) for an immediate FREE TELE PHONE CONSULTATION. Florida Injury Attorney G. Alan Tripp, Jr. is available to discuss your case. NO FEE OR COST UNLESS YOU WIN.

www.trippfirm.com