Florida automobile accident - TIA crash destroys airport aquarium

2009-11-12 04:52:41 (GMT) (JusticeNewsFlash.com - Florida Auto Accident, Justice News Flash)

Legal news for Florida automobile accident attorneys. A truck slammed into the Tampa International Airport aquarium.

Florida automobile accident attorneys alert- A Ford Ranger crashed into the fish aquarium at Tampa International Airport.

Tampa, FL—An out-of-control truck slammed into the side of the Tampa International Airport near the American Airlines baggage claim, which drained the 1,500-gallon aquarium. The driver was a woman with a 6-year-old child riding on her lap, who crashed into the airport on Monday evening, November 9, 2009, around 9:20 p.m., as reported by Tampabay.com.

A 1994 red Ford Ranger driven by Yamile Campuzano-Martine, 36, apparently jumped the curb and crashed into the $200,000 fish aquarium, nearly missing a concrete column, according to the vehicles tire tracks. Martine reportedly was at the airport to pick up a relative when for unknown reasons she lost control of the truck. Martine was uninjured in the wreck, but the 6-year-old boy sustained non-life threatening injuries and refused to be taken to a hospital. A 17-year-old teenager was also in the vehicle, but was not injured. Police officials reported the thick glass of the aquarium was not damaged from the wreck, instead the underground pipes were damaged, which sprung a leak and drained the entire tank. About 90 percent of the tropical and expensive fish died as a result.

The tank, named El Movimiento del Mar, is apart of the public art collection belonging to the airport. Martine was charged for careless driving, having a child without a restraint, and failing to provide license. Officials are also trying to determine how much it will cost to repair the tank and replace the aquatic creatures, which cost about $50 to $500 each.

Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for Florida automobile accident lawyers.