TAMPA, Fla. – Tampa police mourn the loss of one of their officers, who was killed in a ghost crash on I-275 early Tuesday morning.
Police Chief Brian Dugan says Officer Jesse Madsen, 45, died after responding to a ghost driver’s call just after 1am.
The crash occurred on the north lanes of the highway between Sligh and Hillsborough Avenues. Tampa police say callers reported that the wrong-way driver was speeding and swinging in and out of the lanes.
Dugan said the ghost driver was a 25-year-old white male who is currently unidentified. He was also killed in the crash, police said.
Madsen was a TPD officer for 16 and a half years. Dugan said he was a father of four children, a devoted husband and a United States Marine.
Madsen was a seven-time winner of the Tampa Police Department’s Life Saving Award, according to Dugan. He is the 32nd TPD officer to have been killed on duty.
“This is a tragedy,” said Dugan. “Our community has been startled by these wrong-way drivers, and it’s just a complete tragedy that a husband and a father of four are now gone.”
At the beginning of Tuesday, a procession of TPD agents could be seen escorting an ambulance from the scene of the crash.
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“It pains me to say that for the third time this year, our Tampa Bay law enforcement community has lost one of ours in the line of duty. Tampa police officer Jesse Madsen was killed in a ghost crash this morning, “said Hillsborough sheriff Chad Chronister.” Agent Madsen’s sacrifice for the safety of our community will never be forgotten. All of us at #teamHCSO are praying for and will be behind you @TampaPD. “
I-275 is currently closed in both directions while road murder investigators are investigating. Dugan said the roadway will be closed for several hours.
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