PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – A Wednesday afternoon commute turned into a scene of devastation in Oldsmar as a high-speed collision sent four people to the hospital, including a six-year-old girl with life-threatening injuries.
The Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) spent the evening at the intersection of Tampa Road and St. Petersburg Drive, piecing together the physics of the crash that occurred during the 4:00 p.m. rush.
The incident unfolded at approximately 4:42 p.m. on April 30. Investigators determined that 27-year-old Jayanna Clark was traveling eastbound on Tampa Road behind the wheel of a 2015 Nissan Altima.
Simultaneously, 52-year-old Christy Proctor was idling in the westbound turn lane of Tampa Road in a 2021 Tesla Model 3, prepared to make a southbound turn onto St. Petersburg Drive.
READ: RVs Go Up In Flames Inside Progress Village Warehouse
According to the initial report from investigators, both vehicles entered the intersection at the same time, resulting in a heavy impact directly in the center of the roadway. The collision’s force caused varying degrees of injury to everyone involved.
Proctor was transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries, while Clark was also admitted with minor physical trauma.
The situation was far more critical for the two children riding in Clark’s vehicle. A four-year-old boy sustained serious injuries and remains under medical care. The six-year-old girl was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
While deputies have confirmed that impairment does not appear to be a factor in the accident, speed is currently being cited as a primary contributor to the crash’s severity.
The Major Accident Investigation Team has not yet released information regarding which driver had the right-of-way or exactly how fast the vehicles were traveling at the moment of impact. The investigation remains active as authorities work to finalize their report on the tragedy.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
