Two people are dead after a crash on U.S. 301 in Bradenton, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

The crash, involving a 2005 Infiniti and a semi truck, happened at 2:50 a.m. at the 63rd Avenue E intersection.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the semi, which was pulling tandem trailers, was heading south on U.S. 301, approaching the intersection with a green left turn arrow displayed on the signal.

At the same time, Kenneth Jackson, 29, of Palmetto, was driving the Infiniti RX35 north in the outside lane toward the intersection, which had a red light displayed.

Troopers said Jackson swerved into the right turn lane, driving around a witness, then failed to stop for the red traffic light. The front of the Infiniti hit the right side of the semi's first trailer, then the car went under the trailer, across the median and into the southbound lanes before coming to a stop on the west shoulder.

Jackson and his passenger, Daniel Carter, 25, of Sarasota, died from their injuries.

Both the northbound and southbound lanes of U.S. 301 were shut down between State Road 70 and Whitfield Avenue but have reopened.


A fatal crash involving 2 vehicles blocked all lanes of U.S. 301 at 63rd Avenue E on Wednesday morning, Feb. 3, 2016 in Bradenton. (Roger Johnson, staff)