On Wednesday, November 6th, the Pinellas County Major Accident Investigation Team launched a probe following an accident involving three vehicles which also resulted in the death of an 80-year-old man.
According to accident investigators, 65-year-old Marie Mikuliza was headed westbound on Tampa Road in the left turn lane, approaching the traffic light at the intersection of St. Petersburg Drive shortly before 2:50 p.m.
As she made a left turn onto St. Petersburg Drive, Mikuliza’s Cadillac DeVille was struck on the passenger side by two vehicles, a Jeep Liberty, driven by 32-year-old Arianis Vevero-Pompa, and a Ford Fusion driven by 31-year-old Dustin Keithly. Both Verero-Pompa and Keithly were traveling in the eastbound lanes of Tampa Road, side-by-side.
Deputies reported that both eastbound drivers attempted to brake and avoid the crash, but they were unsuccessful since Mikuliza turned in front of them abruptly.
Marie’s husband, 80-year-old Joseph Mikuliza, was riding in the front passenger seat of the Cadillac DeVille at the time of the accident. Deputies say Mr. Mikuliza became trapped in the vehicle from the impact. Oldsmar Fire Rescue was able to free him from the wreckage, but Mikuliza passed away later that day at St. Joseph’s Hospital. His wife Maria was also taken to St. Joseph’s for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The two other drivers were not injured in the crash.
It does not appear that speed or alcohol were factors in the crash. Assignment of fault is unknown and will only be determined by an official investigation.
References:
ABC News
