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Fatal crash shuts down US 301 at McIntosh Road in Hillsborough

Car in wrong lane hits tractor-trailer head-on

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US 301 fatal accident _20110905075123_JPG

Two people died when the car they were in collided with a semi-tractor trailer truck on US 301 in Thonotosassa, Florida, on September 5, 2011.
Photographer: WFTS
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Posted: 09/05/2011

By: Bill Logan
By: Blake Sabatinelli

THONOTOSASSA, Fla. - A fatal accident shut down US 301 near McIntosh Road in Hillsborough County early Monday morning.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a car with two people was driving in the wrong lane on US 301 when it collided head-on with a Sweet Bay semi-truck.

"Both the driver and passenger were killed at the scene," said Sgt. Steve Gaskins of the Florida Highway Patrol. The driver of the truck suffered minor injuries.

The crash remains under investigation, but it appears that the semi driver will not be cited for any moving violation.

Gaskins lamented that the horriffic scene was taking Troopers from their more pro-active safety messaging this Holiday weekend.

"Today actually starts a week-long awareness campaign to bring the problem of drowsy driving to the attention (of motorists)," he said, without affixing any blame or cause to the wreck just south of the Pasco/Hillsborough line which happened hours before sunrise.