Patrol investigating fatal crash on U.S. 41 near Tampa

TAMPA — A 39-year-old Tampa man died in a crash early Wednesday after his sport utility vehicle collided with a semitrailer truck on U.S. 41 and became wedged underneath.

The crash blocked the southbound lanes of U.S. 41 near S 34th Avenue for hours while the fatality was investigated, Florida Highway Patrol reported.

The crash happened about 6:20 a.m. when a semitrailer truck driven by Rafael Meireles, 41, of Tampa turned left onto U.S. 41 and crossed into the path of a Ford Explorer driven by Melvin James Rolfe, the patrol said.

Rolfe tried to brake and swerve, the patrol said, but his Ford went under the semi's trailer. Rolfe, who was not wearing a seat belt according to the patrol, died at the scene.

The crash remained under investigation.