TAMPA (FOX 13) - A man who jumped off the Howard Frankland bridge Tuesday night had been trying to secure a loose trailer and jumped to avoid an oncoming car, the Florida Highway Patrol said this morning.
The man, 27-year-old Steve Carballo, was spotted underneath the bridge treading water and was rescued by St. Pete Fire Rescue crews and taken to the hospital.
Troopers say the truck he was riding in was towing a trailer that became separated from the truck. The driver and passengers got out of the truck to secure the trailer when a car careened toward them.
Troopers said the driver of the oncoming car didn't see them and collided with the trailer.
Three others were injured in the crash, one seriously.
The truck's driver, 34-year-old Leonard Hicks of Zephyrhills, was cited for having an improper or unsecured load.