Rishi Martinez and Gyzelle Diaz dead, Naeve Duarte injured after car crashes into bay off of Courtney Campbell Causeway service road in Tampa, Florida

Modified Date: 
Thu, 10/01/2015 - 2:05pm
Accident Date: 
Friday, July 31, 2015

Two Pronounced Deceased in Early Morning Crash

A witness contacted the Tampa Police Department at approximately 5 a.m. on Friday, July 31 to report that a car crashed into the Bay.  According to the witness, the black Toyota Camry was traveling on the service road connected to the Courtney Campbell Causeway when it crashed through the guardrail and into the water.  The witness was able to help Naeve Duarte swim back to shore after she freed herself from the vehicle. The initial responding officers dove into the water in an attempt to rescue the two remaining occupants.  The U.S. Coast Guard, Clearwater Police Department and Tampa Fire Rescue responded to the scene to assist with the water rescue. The agencies worked together to successfully remove Rishi Martinez and Gyzelle Diaz from the fully submerged vehicle.

2 teens killed after drving off Courtney Campbell service road

Tampa, Florida -- Two teenagers were killed early Friday when their vehicle struck a guardrail on a Courtney Campbell Causeway service road and went into the water. Police say the black Toyota Camry went through the rail on the service road underneath the bridge and into the water about 5 a.m. Deleon says the teenager had picked up Diaz of Tampa and Duarte as they were out celebrating Diaz's birthday. Crews from the Coast Guard, Clearwater police and Tampa Fire Rescue responded to the scene. Police say the car Diaz and Martinez were in crashed through this guardrail and ended up into the water around 5 Friday morning. 'We are reconstructing the scene.

Questions remain about fatal Courtney Causeway crash

Rishi Martinez parents say their 18-year-old son had dreams of becoming a police officer and had been taught not to drink and drive. "I say every time, don't drink when you drive," says Rishi Martinez's mom, Claudia De Leon. A third girl made it out right after the crash on her own and survived. "I wanted to follow in his footsteps to be as good as him," says Martinez's little brother, David De Leon. Police are talking with the sole survivor trying to uncover where exactly they had been coming from, how they got alcohol, and if it caused the tragic crash.
Type: Car Accident
People Involved: 
Rishi Martinez
Gyzelle Diaz
Naeve Duarte
City: 
Tampa, FL

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