Work crew finds body and wrecked convertible weeks after crash, Florida cops say

A work crew stumbled across a wrecked car and a man’s body at the site of a crash that appeared to have happened weeks ago, Florida troopers said.

The afternoon of Sept. 23, workers found a Mazda Miata convertible that had crashed on the west shoulder of Interstate 75 in Hillsborough County, according to Florida Highway Patrol.

A man who died of his injuries at the crash site was the only occupant of the car, troopers said. He hasn’t yet been identified.

Investigators are working to determine the specific date and time the crash happened but said it likely happened in the last several weeks.

The car was discovered southeast from downtown Tampa near Riverview between the exits for Gibsonton Drive and U.S. Route 301, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.

The investigation is ongoing.

What to do if you’re in a car crash

More than 5.9 million traffic accidents were reported by police in 2022, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“No one wants to get into a car crash. But being prepared and knowing what to do if you are involved in an accident can save lives, reduce injuries and make the claims process simpler and easier,” the Insurance Information Institute said on its website.

Here are 10 things you should do if you’re in a car crash:

• Pull the vehicle over to a safe place on the side of the road if possible.

• Assess any possible injuries and make sure everyone is OK.

• Call 911 if anyone is injured.

• Assess the car damage and take photos if possible.

• Don’t leave the scene.

• If the vehicle involved was unattended, leave a note with your name and phone number.

• Note the names and contact information of everyone in the crash, the makes and models of the cars, and the location of the crash.

• Ask other drivers for a license, car registration and insurance ID.

• Report the crash to police or highway patrol.

• File an accident report even if police can’t come to the scene, and notify your insurance shortly after.