News Summary
All southbound lanes of I-275 at Fletcher Avenue have reopened following a vehicle crash with injuries. The incident caused traffic disruptions across the area. Rainy weather contributed to multiple crashes on I-275 earlier in the day, impacting traffic flow through Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. Authorities continue to monitor road conditions as motorists are urged to exercise caution.
Tampa, FL – All southbound lanes of I-275 at Fletcher Avenue have been reopened following a vehicle crash that involved injuries earlier today. The Florida Highway Patrol confirmed that the incident took place around 1:30 p.m., causing temporary traffic disruptions.
The Florida Department of Transportation’s traffic cameras indicated that while the lanes have reopened, the flow of traffic may still be slow as normal driving patterns resume in the area.
This incident is one of several crashes that occurred on I-275 during a particularly rainy morning, affecting the flow of traffic across Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. Before the crash at Fletcher Avenue, earlier accidents hampered traffic throughout the morning.
Just before 7 a.m., a truck crashed on the off-ramp from I-275 South to eastbound I-175 in St. Petersburg, blocking the right lanes. Another crash took place at 6:12 a.m. on I-275 South at Ulmerton Road, which obstructed three left lanes for several hours until they reopened. Additionally, a separate collision occurred on I-275 North near Roosevelt Boulevard just before 6 a.m., blocking one right lane of traffic for hours, although all lanes have since been cleared.
In another incident involving multiple vehicles, a crash on the I-275 Express South at 4th Street led to the temporary shutdown of the on-ramp before the Howard Frankland Bridge shortly before 5:30 a.m. A broken-down vehicle on I-275 North beyond I-4 also contributed to traffic disruptions, causing a right lane blockage around 7:30 a.m.
A significant accident on I-275 North prior to I-4 in Hillsborough County blocked three right lanes and caused considerable backups, but those lanes have now reopened. Furthermore, a car flipped upside down following a separate collision on I-275 North at I-75 in Manatee County just before 7:15 a.m.; those lanes have also reopened.
Of particular concern was a deadly crash that occurred earlier this week on Monday, which claimed the life of a 26-year-old woman from Zephyrhills. This tragic incident occurred shortly before 12:50 p.m. near Waters Avenue, where the woman lost control of her vehicle and collided with an abandoned Dodge Dart on the shoulder of the highway. The impact caused the abandoned vehicle to be propelled across the highway, resulting in her SUV overturning and halting on the outside shoulder.
The woman was promptly transported to an area hospital; however, she succumbed to her injuries shortly thereafter. It remains unclear why she lost control of her vehicle or the circumstances surrounding the abandonment of the Dodge Dart on the roadside.
Authorities have not provided any updates regarding the impact of the fatal crash on overall traffic patterns and flow in the I-275 area.
As motorists navigate this heavily traveled interstate, the combination of weather-related conditions and multiple vehicle incidents continues to pose challenges for drivers, emphasizing the need for caution and awareness on the roads.
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Additional Resources
- ABC Action News: I-275 Closed at Fletcher Avenue Due to Vehicle Crash
- Wikipedia: Traffic Collision
- WTSP: I-275 Traffic Crash Howard Frankland
- Google Search: I-275 Traffic Updates
- Fox 13 News: Zephyrhills Woman Killed in I-275 Crash
- Google Scholar: Traffic Accidents Analysis
- Fox 13 News: Multiple Lanes Closed on I-275
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Accidents
- WTSP: Howard Frankland Bridge Traffic Crash
- Google News: I-275 Vehicle Crash
Author: STAFF HERE TAMPA WRITER
The TAMPA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETampa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tampa, Hillsborough County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Gasparilla Pirate Festival, Florida State Fair, and Tampa Riverfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce and United Way Suncoast, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and technology that power the local economy such as BayCare Health System, Grow Financial Federal Credit Union, and KnowBe4. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERESTPetersburg.com, and HERETallahassee.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
