Deadly wrong-way crash kills three people

GIBSONTON (FOX 13) - Three young people are dead after a head-on crash on I-75 Thanksgiving night.

It happened just south of the Gibsonton Exit around 10 p.m.

Investigators say 21 year-old Justin Lakin of Bradenton was driving a Toyota Corolla north in the southbound lane when he collided with a Ford Focus.

The Ford Focus was driven by 24-year-old Lashay Waiters of Ruskin. Waiters’ fiancé, 21 year-old Yvette Alexandre, also of Ruskin, was in the passenger seat.

“What I tell my friends and family, that gives me some peace, is that she was with someone she loved and he loved her back,” Alexandre’s mom, Suzette, told FOX 13.

All three were transported to Tampa General Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

“I lost the love of my life,” said Alexandre’s dad, Ives.

The Florida Highway Patrol says there was no indication at the crash site that alcohol was involved.

Investigators say it is unclear why Lakin was driving in the wrong direction.

Waiters, Alexandre and Lakin were all wearing seat belts.

“The lives of thee families are affected forever,” said Alexandre’s father.

The crashed closed the southbound lanes of I-75 for several hours, but has since reopened.