HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — A fatal wrong-way crash has I-75 northbound closed in Hillsborough County just before the I-75 and I-275 junction.
All northbound lanes of I-75 near State Road 56 were closed. Two lanes re-opened around 6:45 p.m., and the last opened around 7:50 p.m.
Florida Highway Patrol says 84-year-old Elide Tamayo was driving a Lincoln Town Car southbound in the northbound lanes of I-75 after making a U-turn from the I-275 entrance ramp.
FHP troopers say Tamayo was confused. As he drove southbound toward County Line Road, a passenger vehicle swerved from his path and collided with a pick-up truck.
Tamayo swerved and entered the west paved shoulder of the road, at the same time as the 45-year-old James Johnson on his motorcycle. They collided head-on while on the paved shoulder.
Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene. Tamayo was taken to an area hospital for serious injuries.
FHP says charges are pending.
