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One killed, 3 injured in Brandon crash

Staff photo by ERIC HAUSMANN

A crash into a power pole in Brandon kills one man and injures three more, Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies say.

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TBO.com

Published: September 24, 2009

Updated: 09/24/2009 02:52 pm

BRANDON - One person was killed and three others were injured after a car slammed into a power pole in Brandon early this morning.

While driving north on Lakewood Drive at a high rate of speed about 3 a.m., Evaristo A. Jimenez lost control of a blue 1994 Honda Accord and hit the pole at the intersection of Brandon Boulevard and Lakewood Drive, Hillsborough County deputies said. The 22-year-old Brandon resident, who was wearing a seat belt, died at the scene.

A deputy filling out reports in a parking lot heard the crash and rushed to help. It took rescue workers 30 minutes to extricate one of the passengers from the car. That man was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital in "extremely critical condition," according to Sgt. Gary Wagner.

Passenger Kenneth Whitehead, 21, of Brandon, suffered a life-threatening injury, deputies say. He was not wearing a seat belt.

Darryl Ross, 22, of Valrico, and Dantae Johnson, 21, of Seffner, are in stable condition at Tampa General. They were wearing seat belts.

Reached today by phone, Jose Jimenez was shaken by his nephew death. He last saw Evaristo about 8 p.m. Wednesday. He didn't know where Evaristo was headed this morning.

Evaristo Jimenez's mother booked a ticket from the Dominican Republic and will arrive in Brandon today, Jose Jimenez said.

TECO workers are replacing the power pole, and Lakewood Drive will be closed until about 1 p.m., deputies said. Traffic on Brandon Boulevard is not affected.

An investigation continues.

Stay with TBO.com for updates

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