Crash Involving Pest Control Truck Closes US-19 in Palm Harbor
FHP is investigating a crash that occurred Tuesday morning at approximately 10 a.m. in the northbound lanes of US-19 at Republic Drive.
The crash involved a jeep which ended up on its side in the intersection and a Terminix pickup truck which also overturmed.
A Terminix company Ford F150 truck driven by 53 year-old Abdelali Faqir of Clearwater was traveling northbound on US-19 in the center lane approaching Republic Drive.
Troopers say Faqir stopped for a passing fire truck which had entered the intersection en route to another call.
25 year-old Jagger Martinez of Safety Harbor was traveling northbound in a 2007 Jeep Wrangler on US-19 and failed to stop.
As a result, he collided with the F150 and both vehicles overturned at the intersection.
Dry and wet chemicals from the pest control truck spilled upon the roadway resulting in all northbound lanes being closed for several hours while traffic was diverted at SR-580.
Cleanup crews from Terminix also arrived on-scene along with crews from the Pinellas County Hazmat Team.
Martinez was cited for careless driving and failure to utilize his seatbelt.
Troopers described both their injuries as minor and were transported to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg.