Fatal I-275 Crash Near Sunshine Skyway Toll Plaza Kills North Port Woman
A 54-year-old North Port woman was killed Saturday morning in a crash on Interstate 275 near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge toll plaza after an attempted passing maneuver ended in a collision, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash occurred around 10:08 a.m. in the westbound lanes of I-275 near mile marker 5, where U.S. 19 merges onto the interstate.
Investigators said a 28-year-old Palmetto man was driving an SUV in the left lane when the North Port woman, who was traveling directly behind him in another SUV, accelerated into the right lane in an attempt to pass. Troopers said she then abruptly moved back into the left lane, cutting off the Palmetto driver’s vehicle.
The two SUVs collided, causing the Palmetto man’s vehicle to veer onto the inside shoulder and strike a guardrail.
According to FHP, the North Port woman lost control of her SUV after the collision. The vehicle traveled onto the outside grass shoulder, overturned multiple times, and she was ejected from the vehicle.
Emergency responders pronounced the woman dead at the scene.
The Palmetto driver and the three juvenile passengers riding in his SUV were not injured.
The Florida Highway Patrol continues to investigate the crash.