Wrong-way driver strikes Hillsborough deputy nearly head-on on Skyway Bridge: FHP

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — An off-duty Hillsborough County deputy was hospitalized with serious injuries after a drunk, wrong-way driver struck them nearly head-on on the Skyway Bridge, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

On Wednesday evening, 25-year-old Yosman Alexander Ixpata Xitumul, of Brandon, was driving north in the southbound lanes of I-275 across the Sunshine Skyway Bridge for an unknown reason.

A trooper attempted to stop his Dodge Ram pickup but was unsuccessful. As the trooper tried to overtake the high-speed vehicle, Xitumul collided nearly head-on with the 33-year-old deputy in a Ford F150 at milepost 17.

Xitumul fled on foot and was later apprehended by St. Pete police.

FHP said both the deputy and the suspect were seriously injured in the crash and were taken to nearby hospitals.

Xitumul was found to be impaired more than three times the legal limit.

He was charged with DUI with serious injury, DUI with property damage, aggravated fleeing to elude with serious injury, reckless driving with injury and damage, leaving the scene with injury, leaving the scene with property damage, driving with a suspended license and no proof of insurance in a crash.

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