Deadly Crash on I-75 Kills Ruskin Woman

Just before 6 a.m. on November 15, 57-year-old Maria Delourdes Perez, of Ruskin, was traveling south on I-75 in a 2009 Dodge van when she was hit on the left side by 31-year-old Jeremy Guerrero, of Ruskin, who was driving his 2017 Toyota Corolla southbound on I-75 at high speeds. Guerrero noticed a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s patrol vehicle ahead of him and began “aggressively breaking” to avoid passing the patrol vehicle.

While breaking, Guerrero lost control of his Corolla resulting in the collision with Delourdes Perez. Guerrero’s Corolla directed Delourdes Perez’s Dodge into a tree, which she struck head-on. Guerrero’s Corolla rolled over and hit numerous trees along the side of I-75. Delourdes Perez was wearing her seatbelt and taken to Blake Medical Center in Bradenton to be treated for injuries. She was later pronounced dead.

Guerrero and his passenger, Mary Kathryn Sonzogni, 31, sustained minor injuries and were not taken to a hospital. Guerrero and Sozogni were not wearing seatbelts. Florida Highway Patrol determined Guerrero was under the influence of methamphetamines at the time of the crash. He was arrested on charges of DUI manslaughter and driving with a suspended or revoked license involving a death.

Slater | Grant has extensive experience with helping families through tragedies like this, holding negligent drivers and their insurance companies responsible for killing or severely injuring others.