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Crosstown Expressway Head-On Crash Kills 1, Hurts 2

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By RAY REYES and SAMARA SODOS

The Tampa Tribune and News Channel 8

Published: September 11, 2008

TAMPA - A Brandon woman died and her 4-year-old daughter was critically injured Wednesday when a driver going the wrong way on the Selmon Crosstown Expressway collided head-on with their car, investigators said.

Jennifer M. O'Boyle, 24, died at the scene of the crash, about a half mile east of the 78th Street toll plaza, highway patrol spokesman Sgt. Steve Gaskins said. O'Boyle's daughter, Summer Moll, suffered injuries to her head and leg and was taken to Tampa General Hospital where she was listed in critical condition Wednesday night, Gaskins said.

Cheryl Maria Riemann, 25, of Ruskin, was the driver of the 2008 Honda sport utility vehicle that went the wrong way and struck O'Boyle's car, Gaskins said. Riemann was being treated Wednesday for serious injuries at Tampa General Hospital, he said.

It was unclear Wednesday why Riemann was driving east on the Crosstown's westbound lanes and which ramp she used to get on the expressway, investigators said.

The highway patrol has asked Florida Turnpike officials for surveillance video footage that can show where Riemann entered the expressway, Gaskins said. Investigators hope a camera at a toll booth may have recorded an image or video, Gaskins said.

Investigators are awaiting toxicology results that will show whether alcohol or drugs were involved, he said. O'Boyle, her daughter and Riemann all were wearing seatbelts, according to a highway patrol report.

The incident happened at 2:18 p.m. on the expressway's westbound lower deck, according to the highway patrol, which provided these details:

Riemann's SUV was first seen traveling the wrong way by witnesses on the west side of the 78th Street tolls. On the Palm River Road overpass, the SUV crashed into O'Boyle's 1998 Pontiac going west.

O'Boyle's car spun into the path of a 2005 Honda van driven by Munir Humera of Tampa before stopping on the road's shoulder. Two more vehicles struck Humera's van. She and the other two drivers were not seriously hurt and were treated at the scene.

The highway patrol estimated damage to Riemann's SUV at $20,000, O'Boyle's Pontiac at $10,000, Humera's van at $10,000 and the other two vehicles at $2,000 each.

Portions of the Crosstown were closed for more than four hours while authorities investigated the wreckage and cleared the scene.

Riemann is expected to make a full recovery, Gaskins said. Investigators are waiting until she is treated to interview her.

"She's got a lot to answer for," Gaskins said. "It's tragic."

Riemann does not have criminal records in Hillsborough or Pinellas counties, records show.

Reporters Josh Poltilove and Rich Shopes contributed to this report. Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 259-7920 or rreyes@tampatrib.com. News Channel 8 reporter Samara Sodos can be reached at (813) 314-5379 or slsodos@wfla.com.

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