A 32-year-old Ruskin man died Sunday night after he lost control of his car on U.S. 41 and struck two trees.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, James Michael Hartman was driving a 1998 Ford Taurus south on U.S. 41, north of 4th Street SW, around 7 p.m. when another vehicle turned onto U.S. 41 in front of him.
Hartman swerved to avoid the car, but spun off the west shoulder and struck one tree on the passenger's side and a second on the driver's side, troopers said.
Hartman was taken to Tampa General Hospital, where he later died. A passenger in his car, 18-year-old Amanda Ward of Carmel, Illinois, was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
The vehicle that turned in front of Hartman from 4th Street SW has not been identified.