Florida Highway Patrol troopers are investigating a fatal crash in Clearwater involving a taxi cab and another car colliding on U.S. 19.
- Crash occurred on U.S. 19 intersection with Royal Boulevard
- Passenger in taxi cab died from her injuries in the crash
- U.S. 19 blocked in both directions as investigators work scene
Officials said the crash occurred at the intersection of U.S. 19 and Royal Boulevard. Joseph Castro, 37, was driving his taxi north on 19 while carrying two passengers, Frank Coyle, 71, and Mignonne Coyle, 71, of Ontario, Canada.
When Castro attempted to turn left onto Royal Boulevard, his taxi was struck on the passenger side by a Ford Mustang driven by Brandon Brooks, 20. The impact pushed the taxi from the roadway onto the shoulder of U.S. 19, and left the Mustang blocking traffic in the southbound lanes.
All three people in the taxi were transported to Bayfront Hospital for serious injuries. Mignonne Coyle succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.
Traffic was blocked for several hours in both directions as investigators worked the scene. As of 10:53 p.m., tow trucks were en route to clear the damaged vehicles and re-open the road to public traffic.
The investigation is ongoing.