CLEARWATER, Fla. — A driver was ejected from a SUV early Thursday morning after a single-vehicle crash on U.S. 19 in Clearwater.
According to the Clearwater Police Department, the crash occurred shortly after 4 a.m. in the southbound lanes of U.S. 19.
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Police said 19-year-old Hextor Bonilla was driving a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe when he lost control, slammed into the divider at the Seville Boulevard exit and spun across all lanes of U.S. 19 before crashing into the concrete median. The impact ejected Bonilla through the windshield. He landed in the northbound lanes, but was not hit by any oncoming vehicles.
Bonilla was taken to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg as a trauma alert. Police said they now do not believe his injuries are life-threatening. Two passengers, ages 19 and 23, were taken to Morton Plant Hospital with minor injuries.
The crash caused all southbound lanes of U.S. 19 near Drew Street to be shutdown. Shortly after, all northbound lanes of U.S. 19 near Seville Boulevard were closed.
Both southbound and northbound lanes were reopened by 7:30 a.m.
Wrecker has arrived to remove the crashed vehicle. The debris field from the crash also needs to be cleaned up. pic.twitter.com/PGQ189XxhL
— Clearwater Police Department (@myclearwaterPD) May 16, 2019
The investigation is ongoing, but speed is likely a factor in the crash.
