Sunshine Skyway Bridge Collision Leaves Mark Ellison Injured During Major Interstate Shutdown
Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Mark Ellison — Northbound traffic on Interstate 275 came to a grinding and unexpected halt after a serious collision unfolded atop the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, transforming a normal day of travel into a long stretch of vehicles, flashing lights, and tense uncertainty. The bridge, known both for its beauty and its heavy traffic flow, became the center of a large-scale emergency response as first responders worked rapidly to reach those involved, including Mark Ellison, whose vehicle sustained the most significant damage in the crash.
The incident began shortly after mid-morning when witnesses reported a sudden chain reaction in the middle lanes, triggered by rapid braking during a moment of slowed movement. Several drivers attempted to swerve, but the shifting pattern of vehicles left little room for maneuvering. Ellison’s sedan, caught between a commercial truck and a fast-approaching SUV, absorbed the brunt of the impact. Authorities later described the scene as a tightly compressed cluster of vehicles, each one showing signs of the force exchanged during the collision.
Emergency personnel arrived within minutes, climbing the incline of the bridge with caution due to the narrowed traffic space and the risk of secondary collisions. Ellison was found seated in his vehicle, conscious but visibly shaken, while paramedics assessed him before moving him carefully onto a stretcher. Other motorists stood nearby, steadying themselves against guardrails as responders checked for additional injuries and worked to ensure that spilled fluids and scattered debris did not introduce new hazards.
As the bridge remained partially blocked, troopers documented skid marks, measured impact points, and interviewed drivers who had witnessed the unfolding sequence of events. Several individuals described seeing the initial lurch in traffic but said it developed too quickly for most motorists to avoid the domino effect that followed. The troopers worked deliberately, aware that each detail would shape the reconstruction of the collision and help determine what led to the sudden slowdown that triggered the chain reaction.
Transportation officials diverted northbound vehicles onto alternate routes, warning drivers through digital signage and public advisories that significant delays would persist for hours. The closure created long lines that stretched across the water, leaving many travelers waiting with engines off, windows cracked, and phones in hand as the investigation continued above.
Meanwhile, a tow rotation arrived to begin the slow process of clearing the bridge. Workers secured damaged vehicles one by one, ensuring they could be removed without additional strain on the already-compressed lanes. Ellison’s vehicle was among the first to be towed, its front end heavily crumpled, the windshield fractured from the force of impact. By the time the final vehicle was removed, the once-quiet bridge had become a carefully choreographed activity site, with each department performing its role to reopen the vital interstate connection.
Authorities later confirmed that updates on Ellison’s condition would be shared once the family approved additional details, while the investigation continues into the contributing factors behind the sudden slowdown that set the entire event into motion.