The Florida Highway Patrol are on the lookout for a tow truck and its driver who left the scene after striking an already disabled car from a previous collision.
Dead from the accident was one of Pasco County's most notable church deacons, Joe D. Sampson, 83, — the oldest deacon at his church, Trilby United Methodist, north of Dade City.
Larry Krause, an FHP spokesman for the Florida Highway Patrol, stated, "We continue to search between Pasco, Hernando and Hillsborough Counties. The tow truck could be anywhere."
Officers are asking public assistance in locating a red and yellow tow truck with front in damage. Anyone with information is asked to contact Cpl. Anthony Palese at (813) 631-4020 or anthonypalese@flhsmv.gov.
At this point police believe, Sampson's vehicle collided with another on Thursday evening around 8:19p.m., at the U.S. 301 and U.S. 98 intersection. Sampson's truck ended up in the southbound lanes of U.S. 301 disabled.
"According to witnesses, a minute, maybe 30 seconds, after that crash, a tow truck, maybe red and yellow, in color came southbound and collided with Mr. Sampson's truck a second time," said Krause.
Sampson died at the scene.
James Cramer, 39, the other driver involved in the initial crash is listed in serious condition at Lakeland Regional Medical Center.
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