Investigators say the vehicle rolled over several times before striking a fence.PLANT CITY (FOX 13) -
A blown tire caused a one-vehicle crash on Interstate 4 near McIntosh Rd. in Hillsborough County Sunday afternoon.
All six occupants were transported to Tampa General Hospital; all but one suffered minor injuries.
Four-year-old Yahel Cruz of Lakeland was not in a child safety seat and was ejected from the 2001 Chevrolet pick-up truck. The child was airlifted to the facility and is listed in serious condition.
According to a Florida Highway Patrol report Osbaldo Cruz was traveling west in the outside lane of I-4 when at approximately 12:10 p.m. when the left rear tire blew.
The 32-year-old Lakeland man lost control of the truck as it veered onto the grass shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle overturned several times before colliding with a fence in the upright position. Cruz and 31-year-old Hilaria Perez were the only adults in the vehicle.
They were both wearing seatbelts and three other children in the vehicle were all properly restrained.
Cruz was issued a citation for not having a valid driver's license and for failing to utilize a child safety seat.
