Alarming Surge in Tampa Bay Holiday Traffic Fatalities: What Drivers Need to Know

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As the New Year’s Eve festivities draw near, concerns are mounting over a perilous week on the roads of Tampa Bay, prompting alerts from law enforcement and safety advocates.

Authorities report that a series of recent accidents—some suspected to involve drunk driving and reckless behavior—have tragically claimed the lives of both children and adults in the area during this holiday week.

In a recent incident the day following Christmas in Apollo Beach, a devastating collision occurred at a local intersection. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, a 16-year-old girl lost her life when a pickup truck crashed into the vehicle she was traveling in alongside her mother. Dominic Frye, 21, has been detained and faces charges of DUI manslaughter.

Safety advocates highlight that the stretch of time between Christmas and New Year’s is particularly treacherous for drivers.

“December through January, statistically, you know, it is a higher time where people are out,” said Jeannine South, a program manager with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). “They may be at parties, events, drinking and using other substances that cause impairment.”

Tragedy continued over the weekend in Riverview, where a 9-year-old was killed after investigators said a driver turned into oncoming traffic. In St. Petersburg, a 31-year-old ran a red light, crashed, and later died.

Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw is urging drivers to slow down and make safe choices behind the wheel.

“Drive like your life depends on it because it does,” Bercaw said.

He added that impaired and aggressive driving can turn a holiday celebration into lifelong consequences.

“One bad decision can change your life and someone else’s life forever,” Bercaw said. “It’s not just driving under the influence that we’re focused on. It’s also aggressive driving practice, safe driving.”

MADD advocates said the impact of drunk driving reaches far beyond the crash itself.

“Unfortunately, we see way too many tragedies like this happen,” South said. “Statistically, two out of three people will be impacted by drunk driving in their lifetime.”

Officials are urging drivers to plan ahead, avoid impaired driving, and look out for others on the road as New Year’s Eve celebrations begin.

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Alarming Surge in Tampa Bay Holiday Traffic Fatalities: What Drivers Need to Know

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Alarming Surge in Tampa Bay Holiday Traffic Fatalities: What Drivers Need to Know

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