Troopers from the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) continue to investigate a fatal crash in the southbound lanes of I-275 at Gandy Boulevard. The crash occurred at approximately 6:10 p.m. on Thursday, December 17, 2020.
According to troopers, five vehicles were involved in the crash. Two of the vehicles were traveling southbound on I-275 near MM28, and stopped in traffic in the center lane. Two other vehicles were traveling southbound on I-275, in the outside lane, and also stopped in traffic.
The driver of the 5th vehicle, a blue 2002 Jeep Cherokee driven by 42 year-old Bryant Aubrey Haney of St. Petersburg, was traveling southbound on I-275 and failed to stop for other traffic.
Haney’s Jeep collided with the rear of the stopped white Toyota Prius in the center lane. This caused a chain reaction crash among the other vehicles. Two of the vehicles involved ignited in flames. The driver of the Prius, a 37 year-old man from Parrish, was transported to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg where he died from his injuries.
Haney was also transported to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg with injuries. According to the arrest affidavit, his blood alcohol concentration at the hospital was .287. This is approximately 3 1/2 times the legal limit in Florida for operating a vehicle.
Witness accounts advised that Haney was unable to maintain his lane of travel on multiple occasions prior to the crash. They stated that they did not observe any evasive action taken by Haney prior to the crash.
The other drivers suffered either minor or no injuries according to troopers.
The crash closed the southbound lanes of I-275 until 10:45 p.m.
Haney was arrested for DUI Manslaughter and Driving While License Suspended & Revoked Involving a Death.