TAMPA, FLORIDA — The Florida Highway Patrol has identified the speeding driver who was killed in a fiery crash Wednesday night on the Howard Frankland Bridge.
According to the FHP, 69-year-old Barry Edward Anderson, of Jacksonville, was killed in the crash on southbound lanes near the Kennedy Boulevard exit around 4 p.m., leaving both directions blocked and backed-up for hours.
Anderson was speeding as he was driving a 2008 Kia Spectra in the inside lane when he suddenly lost control, drove into the inside shoulder and struck the center concrete barrier.
The Kia then overturned several times, troopers said, before finally landing on top of the barrier wall and then catching fire.
Anderson, who was wearing a seatbelt, died at the scene, the FHP said.
The crash left two lanes blocked in each directions for hours with emergency crews worked the scene. The fiery scene started affecting traffic elsewhere as authorities advised motorists to use alternate routes such as Gandy Bridge. But that soon became choked with traffic, affecting still more roadways like the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway.
I-275 wasn't reopened until 8:30 p.m.