On Saturday morning, a HART bus was involved in a collision at the busy intersection of North 34th Street and East Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Tampa, Florida. According to the Tampa Police Department (TPD), the bus entered the intersection after the traffic signal had turned red, striking a police cruiser that had the right‑of‑way.
Sequence of events
Investigators said the bus was stopped behind an SUV in the southbound lane of North 34th Street when the light turned red. The SUV proceeded through the red signal to make a right turn, and the bus followed, moving forward into the intersection despite the red light. At the same time, a marked Tampa police vehicle was traveling east on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, approaching the intersection with the right‑of‑way.
The bus’s front right side collided with the rear driver‑side tire well of the police cruiser. The impact caused the cruiser to spin, roll onto its side, and ultimately overturn. After the cruiser came to rest, it struck a Dodge Charger that was stopped in traffic, pushing the sedan onto the east sidewalk and into a low brick wall.
Injuries and medical response
The police officer in the cruiser sustained head injuries and back pain. He was taken to a local hospital for evaluation and has since been released. Two passengers on the HART bus were medically evaluated at the scene and released without serious injury. The driver of the Dodge Charger received treatment for a minor leg injury at the scene. No serious injuries were reported.
Legal outcome for the bus driver
Following the investigation, the HART bus driver was cited for failure to obey a traffic control signal. TPD has not released the driver’s name. The citation reflects the department’s determination that the bus entered the intersection against a red light, violating traffic law.
Community impact
This incident underscores the importance of strict adherence to traffic signals, especially at high‑traffic intersections that serve both public transit and emergency vehicles. Tampa residents rely on HART buses for daily commuting, and police patrols are essential for maintaining safety on the city’s roadways. The swift medical response and the relatively minor nature of the injuries demonstrate the effectiveness of local emergency services.
City officials and transit authorities have not indicated any immediate changes to traffic‑control procedures at the intersection, but the incident may prompt a review of signal timing and driver‑training protocols for both public‑transit operators and law‑enforcement personnel.
What’s next?
TPD will continue its investigation to determine if any additional traffic‑law violations occurred and whether any further citations are warranted. HART is expected to cooperate fully with the police department and may review its driver‑training curriculum to reinforce compliance with traffic signals.
Residents who witnessed the crash or have additional information are encouraged to contact the Tampa Police Department’s traffic division.
Original reporting: Tampa Bay Florida News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
