PLANT CITY, FL. (THECOUNT) — Thomas Baytarian, the father of, Meagan Thi Baytarian, of Lithia, FL, the victim in a fatal vehicle crash near Plant City on Christmas night, wrote TheCount.com to say his daughter was not the wrong-way driver in the fatal crash.
Baytarian, 31, who was killed in the crash where a 76-year-old woman also suffered serious injuries, was initially said to have been the wrong-way driver that caused the tragic Christmas Crash.
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Via Thomas Baytarian email:
“My daughter was the most amazing person in the world. She was loved by so many. So many called her their best friend. As did I. I knew the reports were wrong, not even knowing all the details. The accident occured in the west bound lane. My daughter was traveling home to Riverview, FL, on the west coast of florida, from my home in Port St. Lucie. Traveling WEST. I’m sorry I am unable to write anything more. I’m just devastated. The woman was old and may have had a medical event, I dread the thought she was DUI but it very well may be. I was with her for 2 days and during that time up to the point she left, did not have one drop of alcohol.”
TheCount.com has not independently confirmed the father’s claims.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the wreck occurred around 10 p.m. on FL-60 near Clarence Gordon Jr. Road in Plant City.
As we earlier reported, Baytarian was operating a Toyota Yaris, when for unknown reasons, she crossed centerlines and into opposing lanes.
The Toyota then struck a Dodge Journey head-on. That vehicle was operated by Gussia L. Haughbrook, 76, of Tampa.
But as we are now learning, the elderly woman may have been the wrong-way driver after possibly suffering an unknown medical episode.
Baytarian was pronounced dead at the scene of multiple blunt force trauma injuries.
Haughbrook was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. Her current condition is unknown, reports WFLA.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
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Geo quick facts: Plant City is an incorporated city in Hillsborough County, Florida, United States, approximately midway between Brandon and Lakeland along Interstate 4. The population was 34,721 at the 2010 census – Wikipedia.