Wrong Way Driver Causes Critical Injury Crash on the Approach to the Howard Frankland Bridge
The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is investigating a crash caused by a wrong way driver. The crash left one person with serious injuries and another with critical injuries.
The crash occurred at approximately 1:50 a.m. on Thursday, November 1, 2018 in the northbound lanes of I-275 near mile marker 34.
Troopers say that 25 year-old Andre Cuff Jr. of St. Petersburg was driving a Chrysler 300 southbound in the northbound lanes of I-275. This was on the approach to the Howard Frankland Bridge near the 4th Street exit.
Andrea Rusch, age 24 of Tampa, was driving a 2013 Hyundai northbound on I-275 when the two vehicles collided nearly head-on.
Cuff was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital with suspected serious injuries. Investigators report that Cuff has been discharged from St. Joseph’s Hospital and arrested by FHP Troopers. Now facing charges of DUI with serious injury and driving in the wrong direction. He will be booked into the Pinellas County Jail shortly.
Rusch was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital with critical injuries.
Investigators believe that alcohol was involved and the reason Cuff was driving the wrong-way on I-275..
Troopers reopened the northbound lanes of I-275 shortly after 7 a.m.