A deadly crash occurred on the Howard Frankland Bridge in Florida on the night of January 12, 2026, resulting in one person’s death and injuries to multiple others.
- What Happened:
According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), a 37-year-old man from Musella, Georgia, was driving southbound on Interstate 275 across the Howard Frankland Bridge when he entered an active construction zone that had a lane closed to traffic and failed to yield to workers. His vehicle struck a Ford F-550 work truck that was parked in the closed lane. - Fatality and Injuries
The Georgia man suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Three construction workers who were aboard the Ford F-550 sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Debris from the collision also struck a third vehicle, a Nissan Titan driven by an 18-year-old man from Largo, Florida, but that driver was not injured. - Crash Context:
The crash took place in a construction zone on the bridge near milepost 34 on southbound I-275, where construction work was underway and traffic had been shifted. Officials noted that work zones can be hazardous, especially at night, and that drivers must obey lane closures and warning signs. - Investigation
The accident remains under investigation to determine all contributing factors, including driver behavior and visibility conditions at the time.
About the Howard Frankland Bridge
The Howard Frankland Bridge is a major connection between St. Petersburg and Tampa in Florida, carrying I-275 traffic over Tampa Bay. It has been the focus of extensive construction and safety improvements due to its age and traffic volume, and authorities have emphasized caution in construction zones.
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