Man, infant killed when dump truck crashes into traffic on Interstate 75 in Tampa

TAMPA — A man and an infant were fatally injured when a dump truck crashed into eight other cars Monday on Interstate 75, forcing authorities to close the highway for more than six hours, authorities said.

The crash happened about 2:30 p.m. when the driver of a southbound 2004 dump truck failed to stop for slow traffic approaching the Interstate 4 exit, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The dump truck crashed into an International truck and a Toyota Corolla, then rolled over onto a Nissan van and struck four more vehicles, troopers said.

The driver of the Nissan, 46-year-old David Ross Garcia of Inverness, died at the scene. A 2-month old boy in the Corolla, Asher Gaspard of Tampa, was taken to Tampa General Hospital and died Tuesday. The Corolla's driver, 34-year-old Fritzy Gaspard, and two other passengers, girls ages 10 and 4, were treated at Tampa General for minor injuries, troopers said.

No one else was seriously injured in the crash.

The southbound lanes were closed until 8:30 p.m. as troopers investigated and crews cleared mangled vehicles from the scene.

The dump truck is registered to S & S Site Prep in Masaryktown, according to the Highway Patrol.

No charges have been filed. The investigation continued Tuesday.

Contact Tony Marrero at tmarrero@tampabay.com or (813) 226-3374. Follow @tmarrerotimes.