A 45-year-old woman who drove the wrong way on a north Tampa roadway and caused a crash is now facing DUI charges.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the woman was driving westbound in the eastbound lanes on West Linebaugh Avenue just before 10 p.m. Friday.
Deputies believe the woman’s car then collided with another vehicle in the intersection of Linebaugh Avenue West and Race Track Road.
Both drivers suffered minor injuries in the crash, but neither driver was transported to the hospital.
The woman was suspected of being under the influence and was subsequently evaluated and arrested for being impaired.
She is facing charges of DUI with property damage or personal injury.
Wrong way collisions occur when a driver is confused or just unaware of the road they are turning on. With that said, it makes sense that a good amount of these accidents involve drunk drivers.
Wrong way collision statistics are pretty staggering:
- Nearly 360 people lose their lives every year in wrong-way collisions.
- 22 percent of wrong way collisions resulted in fatalities.
- Nearly 60 percent of wrong way drivers are impaired by alcohol.
- Nearly 80 percent of wrong-way accidents occur at night (between 6pm and 6am).
- Wrong-way accidents are more likely to occur on weekends.
Wrong way driving accidents are not the most common types of collisions, but they are certainly some of the most deadly. Wrong way accidents usually involve head-on collisions and frequently occur on high-speed roadways.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a wrong way driver, our Tampa Bay Auto Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help hold that negligent driver responsible for the damages they have caused you. Contact us online or call us at 727-823-0000 for a free consultation.