HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Three people were ejected from a vehicle on Tuesday after a rear tire blowout, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
FHP troopers said, shortly before 2:00 p.m., Gavin Eskdale, 28 of Lakeland, was driving a 1999 Ford Explorer in the northbound lanes of I-75 when the rear right tire blew out right before the ramp that leads to I-275.
The blowout then caused the Explorer to go into the grassy area on the east side of I-75 and hit a guardrail. After hitting the guardrail, the truck overturned an unknown number of times and came to a final rest upright, and facing west.
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Troopers said Eskdale and two of the three passengers in the Explorer were ejected; including Shayla Morgan, 25 of Plant City, and Joseph Alcott, whose age is unknown at this time because he was unconscious when Troopers arrived.
According to a preliminary crash report, both Morgan and Alcott were not wearing seatbelts.
Hillsborough: I-75 NB 273 MM. Single vehicle crash after a rear blow out. 3 occupants ejected. 3 helicopters on scene. Expect delays NB. pic.twitter.com/boal36Ekqx
— Sgt. Steve Gaskins (@SteveG717) May 8, 2018
Eskdale, Morgan and Alcott were each transported to Tampa General Hospital. Their conditions are unknown, at this time.
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No other vehicles were involved in the crash. Three helicopters responded to the scene.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
