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2 Die After Vehicle Veers Into I-4 Emergency Lane

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TBO.com

Published: August 17, 2008

Updated: 08/17/2008 09:52 pm

PLANT CITY - A driver trying to avoid a collision with the vehicle in front of him swerved into the emergency lane of westbound Interstate 4 on Sunday and hit two people standing near a disabled car, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

The pedestrians were pinned under the 2002 Buick driven by Michael Redish of Brandon, the highway patrol said. Jessica L. Dailey, 23, of Seminole died at the scene, near McIntosh Road west of Plant City.

John L. Bell, 31, of Pinellas Park was taken to Tampa General Hospital, where he later died, the highway patrol said.

At 1:40 p.m., Redish was behind a truck driven by Chance Richard Leonard, 19, of Seminole, when Leonard suddenly braked to go into the emergency lane, trying to help the people with the disabled car, according to the highway patrol.

Redish avoided hitting Leonard's truck by veering onto the road's shoulder, unaware of the stalled car and Dailey and Bell standing near it, the highway patrol said. He was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center with serious injuries.

Leonard and a passenger were not hurt. The crash is still under investigation.

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