Wrong-Way Driver Dead in Howard Frankland Crash Which Critically Injured Another Motorist
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a crash that occurred this morning at approximately 5:54 a.m. It occurred in the northbound lanes of I-275 at milepost 32 (near 4th Street).
The crash involved three vehicles. 46 year-old Renard McGriff of Pinellas Park was traveling SOUTHBOUND in a 2010 Chrysler car in the NORTHBOUND lanes across the Howard Frankland Bridge from Tampa. His vehicle collided head-on with a 2016 Ford van and then into a 2018 GMC SUV.
McGriff died at the scene. 44 year-old Mark Reale from St. Petersburg who was in the Ford van is being treated for critical injuries.
The driver of the GMC SUV was not injured.
FHP reports that McGriff completed a u-turn near the center portion of the bridge and traveled southbound in the northbound lanes for approximately 2-3 miles before the crash.
FHP believes that alcohol played a role in this crash.
Updates as they are available.
