Two Injured in Multi-Vehicle Crash on Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa

Two drivers were hospitalized Thursday after a multi-vehicle crash involving a pickup truck, van and SUV shut down the southbound lanes of the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa for more than two hours.

The September 10, 2026 crash happened on southbound Interstate 275, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Troopers said the driver of a Toyota Tundra lost control and struck a crash attenuator before the pickup spun into the path of three other vehicles.

The Tundra was subsequently struck by a Chevrolet Silverado and overturned. Construction debris from the collision also entered the roadway and was struck by a Dodge Ram van and Ford Bronco.

The 42-year-old St. Petersburg man driving the Tundra was hospitalized with serious injuries. The 71-year-old St. Petersburg man driving the Silverado was hospitalized with minor injuries.

The driver and passenger of the Dodge Ram van and the driver of the Ford Bronco were not injured.

What Happened on the Howard Frankland Bridge?

According to FHP’s preliminary account, the Toyota Tundra was traveling south on I-275 when its driver lost control.

The Tundra struck a crash attenuator and then spun into the path of the Chevrolet Silverado, Dodge Ram van and Ford Bronco.

Troopers said the Silverado struck the Tundra, causing the Tundra to overturn.

Construction debris also entered the path of the Dodge Ram van and Ford Bronco, and both vehicles struck the debris.

The collision ultimately involved four vehicles and resulted in injuries to two drivers.

What Caused the Toyota Tundra Driver to Lose Control?

That remains an important unanswered question.

FHP has reported the sequence of the collision but has not explained why the Tundra’s driver initially lost control.

Investigators may examine the pickup’s speed and movements, driver attention, roadway conditions, traffic patterns and the condition of the vehicle when determining what happened.

Because the initial impact involved a crash attenuator in an area where construction debris was subsequently thrown into traffic, investigators may also document the roadway configuration and construction-zone conditions.

There is currently no reported evidence establishing that the construction zone itself caused the driver to lose control.

What Is a Crash Attenuator?

Crash attenuators, sometimes called impact attenuators or crash cushions, are roadway safety devices designed to absorb energy when a vehicle strikes a fixed object or the end of a barrier.

They are commonly positioned around highway barriers, construction areas and other locations where an errant vehicle could otherwise strike a rigid structure directly.

In this crash, FHP said the Toyota Tundra struck a crash attenuator after its driver lost control.

Investigators may examine the initial impact with the attenuator as part of reconstructing how the Tundra subsequently spun into the other vehicles’ paths.

The fact that the attenuator was involved does not itself indicate that the device was defective or improperly positioned.

Secondary Impacts Can Complicate Multi-Vehicle Crashes

Thursday’s crash appears to have developed through a sequence of separate events.

According to FHP, the Tundra first lost control and struck the attenuator. It then spun into traffic, where the Silverado collided with it. The Tundra overturned, while construction debris entered the paths of two additional vehicles.

That sequence can make determining responsibility and injury causation more complicated than in a typical two-vehicle collision.

Investigators may need to determine how much time each approaching driver had to react and whether any of the later impacts could reasonably have been avoided.

The fact that the Silverado struck the Tundra after it spun into its path does not, by itself, establish that the Silverado driver caused the collision.

Florida Law Requires Drivers to Maintain Control and Use Reasonable Care

Several Florida traffic laws can potentially become relevant when investigators evaluate a multi-vehicle interstate crash.

Florida Statute § 316.183 requires motorists to drive at a speed that is reasonable and prudent under existing conditions and to appropriately reduce speed when special hazards exist.

Florida Statute § 316.089 generally requires motorists to remain within their lane as nearly as practicable and to make lane movements only when they can be completed safely.

Those statutes may become relevant depending on why the Tundra lost control and how the vehicles were positioned before the collision.

FHP has not announced that speeding, an unsafe lane change or another traffic violation caused Thursday’s crash.

Construction Zones Can Create Additional Investigative Questions

The involvement of a crash attenuator and construction debris may make documentation of the roadway especially important.

Investigators may examine the location of barriers, lane markings, signage, construction equipment and other conditions that existed when the crash occurred.

If a construction contractor or government entity were alleged to have contributed to an accident through an unsafe roadway condition, additional legal questions could potentially arise.

However, nothing currently reported indicates that a contractor, government agency or unsafe construction-zone condition contributed to this crash.

The preliminary information instead states that the Tundra driver lost control before striking the attenuator.

Evidence May Help Explain Why the Tundra Lost Control

Potentially important evidence from the Howard Frankland Bridge crash may include:

• Event data recorder information from the vehicles
• Crash-scene photographs and measurements
• Damage to the Toyota Tundra and crash attenuator
• Vehicle resting positions
• Tire marks and roadway debris
• Traffic and construction-zone camera footage
• Dash camera recordings
• Witness statements
• 911 and emergency response records
• Roadway and construction-zone conditions
• Vehicle inspection and maintenance information
• Cellphone records when legally obtainable

Electronic vehicle data could be particularly useful in determining the Tundra’s speed, braking and other inputs before the initial impact.

Video may also help establish how quickly the crash developed and how much time the other motorists had to react.

Potential Personal Injury Claims After the Crash

The 42-year-old Tundra driver suffered serious injuries, while the 71-year-old Silverado driver suffered minor injuries.

Whether either injured driver has a claim against another party will depend on what the investigation determines caused the crash.

If evidence establishes that another person’s negligence contributed to an individual’s injuries, a personal injury claim may potentially provide compensation for medical expenses, lost income and other legally recoverable damages.

The Silverado driver’s situation may require particular attention to the sequence of events. FHP reported that the Tundra spun into the paths of the other vehicles before the Silverado struck it.

That does not automatically determine liability, but it is an important fact when evaluating whether the Silverado driver had a reasonable opportunity to avoid the collision.

Florida’s Comparative Fault Law

Florida Statute § 768.81 may become relevant if evidence establishes that more than one person or entity contributed to the crash.

Responsibility in a multi-vehicle collision does not necessarily have to rest with a single driver.

Investigators and insurers may evaluate each driver’s actions separately and determine whether more than one person’s conduct contributed to the collision or resulting injuries.

No final determination of fault has been reported in Thursday’s crash.

Florida PIP Coverage After a Multi-Vehicle Crash

Florida’s no-fault insurance system may also apply to people injured in the collision.

Under Fla. Stat. § 627.736, qualifying motorists generally look first to applicable personal injury protection coverage for certain medical expenses and lost wages following a motor vehicle accident, subject to statutory and policy requirements.

Additional claims may be available when the legal requirements are met and another party’s negligence caused the injuries.

Because the Tundra driver reportedly suffered serious injuries, the extent of his medical needs and the findings of the crash investigation could become particularly important.

Howard Frankland Bridge Closed for More Than Two Hours

The crash caused significant traffic disruption across the Tampa Bay area.

Emergency crews closed all southbound lanes of the Howard Frankland Bridge while FHP investigated and responders worked at the scene.

Tampa police assisted by closing access points to the bridge.

The southbound lanes remained closed for a little more than two hours before reopening.

FHP Continues to Investigate the Howard Frankland Bridge Crash

The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the September 10 multi-vehicle crash on southbound I-275 across the Howard Frankland Bridge.

Troopers said a Toyota Tundra lost control and struck a crash attenuator before spinning into the paths of a Chevrolet Silverado, Dodge Ram van and Ford Bronco. The Silverado struck the Tundra, which overturned, while the van and Bronco encountered construction debris in the roadway.

The 42-year-old Tundra driver was hospitalized with serious injuries, and the 71-year-old Silverado driver was hospitalized with minor injuries. The three occupants of the other two vehicles were not injured.

FHP has not yet explained what caused the Tundra driver to initially lose control.

We hope both injured drivers receive the care they need and are able to make a full recovery.