TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Driver May Face More Charges In I-4 Rollover

ADVERTISEMENT

By RAY REYES, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 24, 2007

TAMPA - Authorities are continuing their investigation into Wednesday's Interstate 4 crash that sent seven people to the hospital, including an 18-day-old baby.

Infant Nicolas Garcia remained in critical condition Friday at Tampa General Hospital, said Trooper Larry Coggins, spokesman for the Florida Highway Patrol.

Garcia was ejected from a pickup that rolled over on I-4 on Wednesday after its right rear tire blew, the highway patrol said. The infant still was strapped into a child safety seat when he was thrown from the vehicle, according to a highway patrol accident report.

Driver Ruben Bravo Jr., 27, of Kissimmee may be charged if investigators determine the child seat was not fastened with one of the truck's safety belts, Coggins said.

Bravo was arrested at Tampa General Hospital on Wednesday shortly after the crash and charged with driving with a suspended license, the highway patrol said. He was released from Orient Road Jail on Thursday morning after posting $2,000 bail.

Wednesday's accident, which happened about 5:10 p.m., snarled traffic for hours on westbound I-4 near the U.S. 301 overpass. The 2004 Ford pickup was designed to seat six people but was carrying eight, Coggins said.

Some of the passengers were riding in the bed of the truck, authorities said.

Also injured in the crash was Ruben Bravo Sr., 55, who remains in critical condition at Tampa General, Coggins said. The owner of the pickup, Carlos Torres, 26, was listed in fair condition at the hospital, Coggins said.

The conditions of the infant's parents, Nicoli Garcia and Rosa Abendano, the infant's 6-year-old brother, Nestor Garcia, and 28-year-old passenger Ramiro Flores, were not available.

None of the victims had "taken a turn for the worse" Friday, Coggins said.

Tribune reporter Mike Wells contributed to this report. Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 865-4433 or rreyes@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT