PALM HARBOR, Fla. — One person was killed and a firefighter injured in a crash that closed the northbound lanes of US 19 at Innisbrook Drive early Wednesday.
The firefighter, Lt. Ashley White, will undergo surgery Thursday to "repair trauma she suffered to her arm," Palm Harbor Fire Rescue announced on Facebook.
The crash happened just after 3 a.m. as emergency crews were responding to an earlier accident at the intersection and a vehicle crashed into the scene.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the series of crashes started with a sedan driven by a 53-year-old Tarpon Springs man stopped at the traffic signal that was struck from behind by another sedan driven by a 35-year-old Clearwater woman.
Crews from Palm Harbor Fire Rescue responded to the crash scene to render aid to both drivers.
Upon their arrival, two fire trucks were blocking the left turn lane, inside lane and inside center lane when a pickup truck traveling northbound collided with the right side of both fire trucks in successive order for unknown reason.
The pickup truck continued northbound and struck a firefighter Lieutenant who was afoot near the two sedans, then rotated to the outside shoulder and collided with a fire hydrant.
The driver of the pickup truck was transported to an area hospital where he died.
Palm Harbor Fire Rescue also said a GoFundMe page has been established to help the White family. Donations can also be dropped off at the Palm Harbor Fire Rescue Station, 65 250 West Lake Road.
GoFundMe.com, or any other third-party online fundraiser, is not managed by Spectrum Bay News 9. For more information on how GoFundMe works and its rules, visit http://www.gofundme.com/safety.