A multi-car collision that shut down the westbound lanes of I-4 Thursday night led to a second crash early Friday morning, resulting in multiple injuries and one arrest.
The Florida Highway Patrol said on Feb. 15, around 10:45 p.m., a Dodge Challenger, Mini Cooper, Hyundai Kona, Ford Expedition and tractor-trailer were all stopped in traffic on I-4 heading west near Branch Forbes Road.
A Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Chevrolet Tahoe was also traveling west to respond to a backup call with its emergency equipment activated. As it approached, the Challenger made a sudden lane change to the right, striking the HCSO Tahoe.
The impact redirected the Challenger to the left, striking the right side of the Mini Cooper.
The Challenger continued to rotate before colliding with the front right of the Kona and the back of the Expedition. It finally came to a rest facing northeast against the back of the Expedition.
During the crash, the Challenger’s driver was ejected from the vehicle.