Ruskin man critically injured in crash | News

Riverview, Florida - Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office traffic homicide detectives are investigating an overnight single vehicle traffic crash that left Fred Violette with critical injuries.

They say he was driving a 2001 Hyundai Elantra on Friday, July 13. It was just after 11 p.m. They say Violette was driving southbound on 33rd Street SE at 16th Ave in Ruskin at a high rate of speed when he failed to negotiate a left curve in the roadway.

Violette's vehicle drove off the west road edge, and as he over corrected his steering, his vehicle began to rotate through the grass, sliding sideways into a shallow ditch.

Investigators say he then struck a concrete drainage pipe and continued over a driveway before striking another concrete drainage pipe. He became airborne and slammed into a wooden TECO pole, causing his vehicle to roll over and land on its roof.

Violette was not wearing a seatbelt and was found severely injured inside his vehicle. He was transported to South Bay Hospital and then flown to Tampa General Hospital where he is currently listed in critical condition with severe head trauma.

A passenger in the vehicle, 43-year-old, Carrie Ann Parker of Ruskin, was wearing her seatbelt. She suffered minor injuries.
She was treated at South Bay Hospital and released.

Detectives say alcohol is suspected in this case but no charges have been filed at this time pending the results of toxicology reports.