BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor
An eighteen-year-old Tampa woman died in a traffic accident early Monday. The accident took place at the intersection of Causeway Boulevard and 86th Street, South, shortly before 4 a.m.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Ms. Waynenecia Shacole Tillman was driving a 2003 Pontiac Grand Am. The vehicle was traveling eastbound in the outside lane of Causeway Boulevard, at a slow speed, or possibly stopped, for unknown reasons.
Investigators said Louis Albert Hartung, 48, of New Port Richey, was driving a 2012 Freightliner tractor trailer operated by Petroleum Transport Lines that was carrying gasoline.
The tractor trailer was also traveling eastbound and approached the Pontiac from the rear. Hartung apparently failed to see the car and the tractor trailer collided with the back of the Pontiac.
Ms. Tillman sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene. Police said Hartung was not injured in the accident.
A spokesperson for the Florida Highway Patrol said although the truck was transporting gasoline, none of the fuel leaked or spilled.
Ms. Tillman was the daughter of Ms. Cheryl Watson. She was also the granddaughter of Ms. Barbara Watson and Johnny Watson. She was a Tampa native and attended the public schools of Hillsborough County. She last attended Middleton High School in the school year 2011-2012.
According to her grandfather, the family learned after the accident that Nene was pregnant.
Her cousin, Ms. Ciera Davis said, “We were very close. She was beautiful, she was a beautiful person. She wanted to be a nurse and was planning on going back to school.”
Ms. Davis said her cousin enjoyed shopping, hanging out with her family and friends and going to the movies. She also liked to sing. She was currently working at both McDonald’s and Burger King.
Ms. Davis further said that Ms. Tillman was a member of St. John Missionary Baptist Church.
Funeral services for Ms. Tillman were incomplete at press time.
