Driver captures 301 crash on tape

TAMPA - Victoria Fernandes says can still see the image in her head, despite having the entire accident on videotape.

Fernandes was driving on U.S. 301 in Hillsborough County Wednesday afternoon, and witnessed a terrible crash. She says she saw an SUV veer into oncoming traffic and slam into a Publix semi-truck.

"Immediately people started coming out to help," Fernandes told FOX 13. "He just started going towards the left and ran into the truck. The car jumped up into the air and I was just like wow."

Fernandes said she was on her way home from Keiser University around 1 p.m. when it happened. She said the driver of the black Nissan Xterra started weaving in and out of traffic. At first she thought he was just messing around.

"When he started swerving a little bit closer to other cars I thought okay, he might not be playing so I backed up a bit and then he ran into the truck," Fernandes said.

Fernandes said when she grabbed her hand held camcorder in the front seat, she had no idea she'd capture a serious accident on tape. Fernandes received the camera for Christmas, and said she takes it everywhere since she's studying to be a crime scene technician.

"I just started taping and he just started going towards and I slowly zoomed in a little bit," Fernandes explained. "The truck just started coming and - I thought he saw it but he ran into it."

The driver of the SUV, Eliud Velazque of Brandon, was flown to Tampa General Hospital in critical condition, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The driver of the semi, Kipp Stephens of Sarasota, was not hurt.

Fernandes, along with other drivers, called 911 immediately. "It was very shocking. It makes me drive a little bit more cautiously now and make sure I keep a distance from all the cars," she said.

FHP says it has not filed any charges, and believes a medical condition may have played a role in the crash.