Man rides scooter onto Interstate 75, survives being struck from behind

TAMPA — A scooter rider was seriously injured early Tuesday morning in a crash that closed the southbound lanes of Interstate 75 near Fletcher Avenue for an hour, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Choster Exantus, 32, was slowly operating the scooter in the southbound outside lane at about 6 a.m. when he was struck from behind by a 2011 Toyota Sienna. The driver, Gehan Rezk-Alla, 54, was attempting to pass the scooter, troopers said.

The impact threw Exantus from the scooter, troopers said, and he landed on outside grass shoulder.

Exantus was taken to Tampa General Hospital for treatment of what was reported to be serious injuries, troopers said. Rezk-Alla was not injured in the crash.

Both were cited. Exantus received a citation for impeding traffic while Rezk-Alla was cited for careless driving, the Highway Patrol said.

Contact Carl Lisciandrello at clisciandrello@tampabay.com. Follow @carlmarks Times