Wrong-Way Crash Involving Off-Duty Deputy and Drunk Driver on Skyway Bridge in St. Petersburg, FL on September 26, 2024

Wrong-Way Crash on Skyway Bridge in St. Petersburg

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Published:
Last Updated:

St. Petersburg, FL

 (

Sep 26, 2024

) - 

Local news outlets report that an off-duty Hillsborough County deputy was seriously injured after a wrong-way driver crashed into his vehicle on the Skyway Bridge in St. Petersburg, FL, on Wednesday, September 26, 2024. The suspect, Yosman Alexander Ixpata Xitumul, was driving under the influence and was arrested after fleeing the scene.

An off-duty Hillsborough County deputy is recovering from serious injuries after a wrong-way crash on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in St. Petersburg, FL, on Wednesday night, September 26, 2024. According to local reports, the incident occurred just before 10 p.m. when a 25-year-old man, Yosman Alexander Ixpata Xitumul of Brandon, FL, was driving a red Dodge Ram pickup in the wrong direction on I-275, heading northbound in the southbound lanes.

Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) officers had been alerted to the situation after receiving reports about the truck’s erratic behavior on the bridge. Troopers attempted to stop Xitumul by using a PIT maneuver, but the driver evaded the officers, continuing at high speed. Moments later, Xitumul crashed nearly head-on into a Ford F-150 driven by the 33-year-old off-duty deputy near milepost 17.

After the crash, Xitumul fled the scene on foot, but St. Petersburg police quickly apprehended him. Both he and the deputy were taken to local hospitals for treatment of serious injuries. Authorities later confirmed that Xitumul’s blood alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit. He now faces multiple charges, including DUI with serious injury, aggravated fleeing, reckless driving, and leaving the scene of an accident.

This serious accident serves as a reminder of the importance of getting an official accident report if you're ever involved in a car accident in St. Petersburg, FL. Accident reports, completed by law enforcement at the scene, document crucial details such as time, location, and the involved parties, which are essential for insurance claims and legal proceedings.

If you've been in a car accident and need a copy of your accident report, getting it shouldn’t add to your stress. A personal injury attorney in St. Petersburg, FL can also help you navigate the legal steps, ensuring you’re compensated fairly for injuries or damages. Contact a local attorney today for a free consultation to help you through the recovery process.

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Accident Details:
Location:
St. Petersburg, FL
Type:
Car Accident
Severity:
Serious
Collision:
Head On, High Speed Impact
Issues:
Impaired Driving, Reckless Driving, Wrong Way
Interstate:
I-275
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