A driver was killed in an accident on Thursday morning after a tree fell and crushed a car in Tampa.
Hillsborough County deputies said that the car was driving northbound on Orient Road North just before 4 a.m. As the car approached the intersection of Deleuil Avenue, a large section of an oak tree broke and fell onto the hood of the car and power lines.
A witness says the tree limb fell shortly before the crash, and remained caught up in power lines about 10' off the ground. The driver didn't see the hanging limb and drove into it.
The tree crushed the roof of the car and the driver died at the scene. The driver of the car was the only occupant.
The driver was later identified as 36-year-old William J. Vantassel.
TECO is working to move the power lines off the car.
Crews removed the tree through an extrication, however, you can still expect some delays this morning in the area.
UPDATE: Avoid Orient Rd. Car vs. tree, power lines down. Orient is blocked just north of Hillsborough Ave. #GMTB #tampatraffic pic.twitter.com/uT3FTTrm33
— Tampa Bay Traffic (@TampaBayTraffic) June 15, 2017
