UPDATE: TAMPA, FL. (OCTOBER 26, 2026) - - Tampa Police have cited the bus driver involved in the weekend traffic crash that caused a police vehicle to overturn.
The investigation revealed that the HART bus stopped behind an SUV in the southbound straight lane of N. 34th St. at a red light. After the SUV proceeded through the red light to turn right, the bus also moved forward into the intersection against the steady red light.
Simultaneously, a marked Tampa Police vehicle was traveling eastbound on E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., approaching N. 34th St. with the right-of-way.
The HART bus entered the intersection and struck the rear driver-side tire well of the police vehicle. The impact spun the police car around to face north, causing it to flip upside down and strike a stationary white Dodge Charger stopped in traffic. The force of the collision pushed the Dodge Charger onto the east sidewalk, where it struck a low brick border wall.
The police officer was transported to the hospital with head injuries and back pain and has since been released. Two occupants of the bus were medically evaluated and released. The driver of the Charger was treated at the scene for a minor leg injury. Thankfully, there were no critical injuries reported.
The bus driver was cited for failure to obey a traffic control signal.
TAMPA, FL. (OCTOBER 24, 2026) - - Tampa Police are investigating a traffic crash involving an occupied patrol vehicle, a Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) bus, and a 2017 white Dodge Charger that occured on Saturday morning.
Preliminary information shows the police vehicle was traveling eastbound on MLK Blvd. The HART bus was traveling southbound on N. 34th St. An adult male driver in a Dodge Charger was stationary in the northbound lanes of N. 34th St.
At approximately 9:00 am on October 24, 2026, there was a collision involivng all three vehilces at the intersection of N. 34th St. and E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The force of the impact caused the patrol vehicle to overturn.
The officer, a 12-year veteran of the department and sole occupant of the police vehicle, was transported to a local hospital for treatment of a head laceration. While no serious injuries were reported on board the bus, in an abundance of caution, two adult passengers were taken to a nearby hospital for medical evaluation. The driver and sole occupant of the Dodge Charger reported a minor leg injury and was treated and released at the scene.
"Our immediate thoughts are with all those who were involved in this morning's collision," said Acting Chief Brett Owen. "We are thankful that initial reports indicate no critical injuries, and we wish everyone a swift recovery."
Tampa Police Traffic Investigators remain on scene gathering information to determine what led to the crash. Updates can be provided as the investigation allows.