1 dead, another injured in wrong-way crash

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Another life has been claimed by a wrong-way driver in Tampa.

The Florida Highway Patrol says the crash happened shortly after midnight on U.S. 41 near Dover Street, where 23-year-old Ronal R. Vasquez-Gonzalez slammed into another driver while going southbound in the northbound lanes.

They say the left side of Vasquez-Gonzalez’s 2001 Eclipse struck the left side of 35-year-old Joel Vargas-Gonzalez's 1999 Honda Civic, causing both vehicles to rotate several times.

Vargas-Gonzalez did not survive, and officials say it took hours before they could even get the 35-year-old’s body out of the car.

As for Vasquez-Gonzalez, they say he was taken to the hospital with injuries.

An investigation into the crash continues, but so far, troopers say they believe alcohol was a factor.

Vasquez-Gonzalez has been charged with DUI manslaughter and for causing a death while driving without a license. 

FOX 13 will continue with updates as they become available.