Tampa, Fla. — A grandfather heading to church on Easter Sunday. A teenager, fresh off his night shift sorting boxes at Amazon. A retired dancer, walking home after treating herself to a pedicure.
All were killed during a single week around Tampa Bay by what local and national leaders have declared a growing public health crisis. While most other rich nations are becoming safer, road deaths in America remain persistently high, especially in Sun Belt metros like Tampa.
There were 434 fatal crashes across Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties last year, according to preliminary statistics from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
