Woman calls boyfriend to come to crash site, then SUV kills him and dog, Florida cops say
A 23-year-old drove to a crash site to meet his girlfriend who was in a collision, then an SUV killed him and his dog, Florida authorities said.
A minor crash happened between two vehicles in Hillsborough County on the northbound ramp of U.S. 301 and Interstate 75 the evening of July 13, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The woman asked her boyfriend to meet her there, and the Tampa man showed up with his Doberman, authorities said.
When he got out of his vehicle, his dog jumped out and darted into oncoming traffic, according to highway patrol.
The man chased after his dog, then they were hit by a Honda CRV, killing the dog at the scene, officials said. The man was taken to a hospital, where he died from his injuries, according to highway patrol. The driver of the Honda wasn’t injured.
The Florida Highway Patrol didn’t release the man’s name.
Hillsborough County includes the Tampa metropolitan area.
What to do if you’re in a car crash
More than 5 million traffic accidents were reported by police in 2020, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“No one wants to get into a car crash. But being prepared and knowing what to do if you are involved in an accident can save lives, reduce injuries and make the claims process simpler and easier,” the Insurance Information Institute said on its website.
Here are 10 things you should do if you’re in a car crash:
Pull the vehicle over to a safe place on the side of the road if possible.
Assess any possible injuries and make sure everyone is OK.
Call 911 if anyone is injured.
Assess the car damage and take photos if possible.
Don’t leave the scene.
If the vehicle involved was unattended, leave a note with your name and phone number.
Note the names and contact information of everyone in the crash, the makes and models of the cars, and the location of the crash.
Ask other drivers for a license, car registration and insurance ID.
Report the crash to police or highway patrol.
File an accident report even if police can’t come to the scene, and notify your insurance shortly after.
This story was originally published July 18, 2024 at 6:12 PM with the headline "Woman calls boyfriend to come to crash site, then SUV kills him and dog, Florida cops say."