One dead, three badly injured in high-speed crash

BEALSVILLE -- A Riverview man died and three companions were severely injured early this morning after their car went into a spin at nearly 100 miles an hour on State Road 60, hit a street sign and chain link fence, then rolled over and over, throwing everyone out as it tumbled.

The Florida Highway Patrol says Christopher Ramos, 33, of Riverview had been behind the wheel of the decade-old Dodge Stratus, and died at he scene. The injured were identified as Estanislao Vela, 36, and David Vela, 32, both of Plant City, and David Alan Jones, 21, of Lithia.   

The wreck occurred around 2:30 a.m. just west of the Polk-Hillsborough county line. The car had just crossed English Creek and was heading west toward a curve. FHP Sgt. Steve Gaskins said none of the occupants were wearing seat belts, and all the passengers were intoxicated.

FHP investigators estimate Ramos had been traveling about 97 miles per hour. He was so severely injured that it took several hours to positively identify him, they said.

-- Times Staff