Two people were killed Saturday in a crash on Veterans Expressway (SR-589) in Tampa, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
- Two people were killed in a crash on Veterans Expressway
- Troopers say Anwar Askar, 54, who was speeding, hit another car, sending it into a concrete barrier
- Askar charged with with 2 counts DUI manslaughter
The crash occurred about 2:20 a.m. in the northbound lanes of SR-589, just north of State Road 60.
According to troopers, Anwar Daoud Askar, 54, of Tampa, was driving a Mercedes-Benz at a high-rate of speed in the outside lane. The vehicle struck the back of a Pontiac Grand Am. The impact caused the Pontiac to cross onto the outside shoulder before colliding with a concrete barrier. The vehicle came to rest on the exit ramp to Independence Parkway and caught fire.
The Mercedes-Benz crossed onto the inside shoulder and collided with a concrete barrier, troopers said.
Both of the people inside the Pontiac were killed at the scene of the crash. The driver has been identified as Jesus Emanuel Lanzo, 33, of Tampa. The passenger was identified as Carlos Angler Quinones Perez, 33, of Tampa.
Askar was taken to Tampa General Hospital with serious injuries. He was charged with two counts of DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide.
Northbound lanes were blocked during the investigation. All lanes have since reopened.