UPDATE | The passenger in a 2001 Pontiac involved in the fatal traffic crash on the Veterans Expressway early Saturday has been identified as Carlos Angler Quinones Perez, 33, of Tampa. He and the Pontiac's driver, Jesus Emanuel Lanzo, also 33 and of Tampa, died on the scene.
ORIGINAL STORY | Alcohol is believed to be a factor in a deadly traffic crash near the southern end of the Veterans Expressway early Saturday, officials said.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the traffic incident occurred on the Veterans Expressway at Mile Marker 2 about 2:30 a.m. Saturday.
One of the vehicles burned.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 2014 Mercedes CI550 driven by Anwar Daoud Askar, 54, of Tampa, was traveling northbound on State Road 589, also known as the Veterans Expressway, in the outside lane at a high rate of speed.
The Mercedes overtook a northbound 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix and collided into the rear of the Pontiac.
The impact forced the Pontiac to the outside shoulder of the road, where it collided with a concrete traffic barrier, a FHP news release states. The Pontiac came to rest on the exit ramp to Independence Parkway then went up in flames.
The Mercedes traveled to the inside shoulder and collided with a concrete traffic barrier.
Both occupants in the Pontiac sustained fatal injuries. One victim has been identified as Jesus Emanuel Lanzo,33. The other victim has not been identified.
Askar was taken to Tampa General Hospital in serious condition. He was charged with two counts of DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide.
All northbound lanes on the Veterans were closed, and motorists were detoured near Tampa International Airport.
Northbound lanes of Veterans Expressway reopened to traffic at 11:41 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22.
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