Early Morning Rollover Crash in Clearwater Seriously Injures Driver
William Fralin, age 48 from Largo, was seriously injured following a crash at approximately 2:51 a.m. on Tuesday, June 26, 2018.
The crash occurred in the intersection of Court Street and Hillcrest Avenue.
A Clearwater Police officer rolled up on the single vehicle crash in the intersection and found an unconscious driver still in the vehicle which was starting to catch fire. The officer utilized a fire extinguisher just prior to Clearwater Fire & Rescue personal arriving on-scene. There were also live power lines down near the vehicle
As of 10:30 a.m., Fralin remains in critical condition at Bayfront Health St. Petersburg with life-threatening injuries.
The Camry was westbound on Court Street when it left the road, struck a couple of street signs and then slammed into a large pole holding traffic signals.
Debris from the car and the traffic signals was strewn over a large area and onto the campus of St. Cecelia Catholic School.
Speeding and alcohol are thought to be factors in the crash, according to investigators.
A small portion of Hillcrest Avenue remains closed at this time as city crews work to conduct repairs on traffic signals at the intersection. Damage estimates to city property are about $75,000.
Initially, the arriving fire rescue personal thought the crash involved a second vehicle due to distance between the parts of the severely damage vehicle.
This traffic signal arm came crashing down after the impact. City workers are on scene trying to gather all of the debris. pic.twitter.com/Uy4Ffvc6cQ
— Clearwater Police Department (@myclearwaterPD) June 26, 2018
There were no passengers in the car.
Drivers were asked to avoid the area as the investigation is conducted. All lanes of Court Street reopened at approximately 6:30 a.m.