A crash on State Road 60 has left one Plant City woman dead and her two children with serious injuries.
Maria Luisa Olivas, 45, was traveling east in a 2001 Chevrolet pickup truck on State Road 60, west of Haynesworth Drive on Thursday, Oct. 8. She was rear ended by Brian A. Defreitas, 46, of Lakeland, who was driving a 2008 Dodge Avenger. Defreitas was attempting to pass Olivas when the front left of his Dodge collided with the rear right of her Chevrolet.
Olivas’ Chevrolet traveled into the grass median and overturned several times. Olivas, who was not wearing her seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle and died.
Her two children, Alejandro Mendoza-Olivas, 9, and Jade Alexa Mendoza, 8, were both taken to Tampa General Hospital with serious injuries. Both children were wearing a seatbelt. The children attend Jackson Elementary School.
Alcohol was a factor in the crash. Defreitas was arrested for DUI manslaughter, DUI serious injury, DUI injury and vehicular homicide.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com