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Tampa man dies after van hits tree

 
Published June 5, 2013

TAMPA — Detectives are investigating a single-vehicle crash that left a Tampa man dead early Wednesday.

It happened at about 12:30 a.m. in the 2200 block of W Woodlawn Avenue as Marcos Ramos-Woodstock moved a 1998 Food Windstar minivan from the side of a house to the front.

However, police said, the van abruptly accelerated in reverse and careened into the yard across the street as Ramos-Woodstock's wife and sister watched.

The van crashed into a tree, and Ramos-Woodstock was pinned between the open van door and the tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Though detectives are still investigating, Tampa police say that Ramos-Woodstock's wife suspects that a medical problem may have contributed to the crash.

Police say that preliminary results from the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner's office indicate that alcohol was also likely a factor in the crash.

As part of their investigation, police are also trying to verify Ramos-Woodstock's name and age. He did not have a driver's license or identification on him at the scene, and there have been some discrepancies regarding his name and date of birth, police said.

His name may be Marcos or Marcus with the last name of Gomez-Woodstock. Police believe he is 43 years old.

Stay with tampabay.com for updates.