9 injured in Courtney Campbell Causeway accident

Nine people were treated by firefighters following a two-vehicle crash on the Courtney Campbell Causeway at Duncan Drive.

The call came in at 6:34 p.m. Tuesday.

Four victims were transported to the hospital. The other five refused transport.

Three people, including a 9-year-old boy, 23-year-old man, and 26-year-old woman, received serious but non-life-threatening injuries. A 28-year-old-woman received minor injuries.

According to Clearwater police, the driver of a 2000 Ford pick-up was going westbound and hit a 2006 Nissan Altima traveling eastbound while making a U-Turn at the Damascus Road traffic signal.

The impact caused the truck to leave the roadway and travel onto the sand of the Courtney Campbell Causeway beach.

The impact also caused the Ford’s engine compartment to become engulfed in flames. Citizens responded and pulled the driver out of the vehicle prior to the arrival of the Clearwater Fire Dept.

The driver of the Ford, identified as 19-year-old Antonio Hernandez, was issued citations for no valid driver’s license, failure to yield to oncoming traffic, and no proof of insurance.

Westbound traffic was limited to one lane, and both eastbound lanes were shut down until 9:10 p.m., at which time all lanes were reopened.