Driver dies in wrong way crash on Sunshine Skyway Bridge

The southbound lanes of Interstate 275 were closed at 54th Avenue South in Pinellas County for several following a wrong-way crash Friday morning, the Florida Highway Patrol reported.

The accident occured at 3:34 a.m. Friday when a 2005 Ford 4-door traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of the Skyway Bridge collided nearly head-on with a 2000 GMC pickup near the 8 mile post.

The female driver of the Ford died at the scene of the crash. She was identified as Shontel Nicole Chase, 29, of New Port Richey, the Florida Highway Patrol reports.

The driver of the pickup, a Palmetto resident, was transported to an area hospital where he is listed in critical condition.

FHP reported about 9:15 a.m. that the south-bound lanes had reopened.

This story was originally published December 30, 2016 at 8:44 AM with the headline "Driver dies in wrong way crash on Sunshine Skyway Bridge."