Three killed in multi-car crash

TAMPA - Police say three people are dead after two cars crashed on 34th Street N and Chelsea Avenue in Tampa Thursday night.

Ernest Smith, 19, was driving his White Dodge Charger south on 34th street while Walter Charles Givens, 67, was driving his Blue Buick east on Chelsea Avenue.

The two cars collided and the back seat passenger in the Buick was ejected from the vehicle.

Tampa Fire and Rescue used the Jaws of Life to remove Givens and his wife Dione, who sat in the front passenger seat. The couple died.

The ejected passenger was later pronounced dead at Tampa General Hospital.

The driver of the Charger and his two passengers, Patrick Cover,30 and DeAndre Bugg, 22, were transported to St. Joseph’s hospital. They sustained non-life threatening injuries.

Detectives are investigating the accident to determine if speed and/or alcohol and drugs contributed to the fatal crash.

Authorities said it could be days or weeks before they discover what caused the crash, who was at fault and if criminal charges will filed.

Check back with abcactionnews.com for more as this story develops.