Clearwater Man Charged with DUI in Hillsborough County Wrong-way Crash
35 year-old Wendel James of Clearwater was arrested by Troopers from the Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers say that James was traveling northbound in the inside southbound lane of US-41 at speeds in excess of 100 MPH in a 2018 Toyota Camry at approximately 10:33 p.m. on Friday, June 22, 2018.
An off-duty Pinellas County Deputy had observed the wrong-way driver coming from Manatee County while also traveling along US-41.
Colleen Switt, age 26 of Ruskin, was traveling southbound in a 2016 Hyundai Accent in the inside lane of US-41 and entered a left turning lane when the right side of James’ Camry, sideswiped the right side of the Switt’s car near Valroy Road.
After the collision, the Hyundai rotated to final rest in the grass median while James continued traveling in the wrong direction until the Pinellas Deputy completed a U-turn into the path of his vehicle.
James stopped the vehicle and was later arrested by FHP for DUI Property Damage, Reckless Driving and Leaving the Scene of a Crash.
Switt was not transported to the hospital and suffered only minor injuries according to FHP.