TAMPA, Fla. — A 24-year-old Tampa man faces multiple charges after police arrested him Saturday night following a fiery crash that resulted in the death of his passenger.
According to Tampa Police, Nicholas Schreiber was speeding north on S. West Shore Blvd. when he tried to overtake another vehicle in the left turn lane. His Jeep Grand Cherokee struck a raised median, several trees and shrubs before it crossed into the southbound lanes of traffic, according to police.
Officers say the Jeep then struck a Toyota Camry head on and both vehicles caught fire. The passenger in the Jeep died on the scene. The driver of the Camry suffered minor injuries.
"He [the driver of the jeep] was just screaming kind of frantic, you know what I mean. (He was) trying to run back to the car and I said, 'Man, just stay back... just stay back'," Armando Martinez said.
Martinez and another man tried to get to the passenger, but he said they could not because of flames were intense. Martinez spoke to the second driver who survived the crash.
"He was more in a shock mode...just kind of a deer in headlights," Martinez said.
Police say Schreiber stayed on the scene and displayed signs of impairment, including making "spontaneous statements admitting to drinking alcoholic beverages." Police conducted a DUI investigation and drew his blood before taking him to the hospital for medical clearance.
Todd Williams lives nearby. He heard the crash from his home.
"Drunk driving is a big problem and, you know, it's... even if you think you're fine -you're not," Williams said.
Schreiber is charged with DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide and DUI property damage.
