FHP: No seat belts used in fatal accident

HERALD STAFF REPORT

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EAST MANATEE - One teenager is dead and another is in critical condition after a pickup truck left an on-ramp at State Road 70 and Interstate 75 this afternoon, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

FHP Lt. Chris Miller said 18-year-old Keith Wallace, of Sarasota, died when at 12:15 p.m., a 2000 silver Dodge pickup rolled over off the southbound I-75 on-ramp at S.R. 70. Another teen in the vehicle, William Rotunda, 18, also of Sarasota, is in critical condition after being airlifted from the crash.

Miller said neither of the teens had on a seatbelt and both were ejected from the truck.

FHP troopers are still investigating the cause of the crash and who was driving the vehicle, Miller said. The crash did not affect traffic on I-75, Miller said, and the ramp has been re-opened.

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