Woman with child in lap drives into aquarium at Tampa airport, killing most of fish in tank

Associated Press

Last update: November 10, 2009 - 8:37 PM

TAMPA, Fla. - The driver and the child in her lap survived when a pickup truck slammed into a 1,500-gallon aquarium at Tampa International Airport. The tropical fish were not so lucky. Airport officials said 36-year-old Yamile Campuzano-Martine lost control of her truck and drove into the saltwater tank outside the American Airlines baggage claim Monday night. Airport spokeswoman Brenda Geoghagan said the driver had an unrestrained 6-year-old boy in her lap.

About 90 percent of the 30 to 40 saltwater fish in the tank were killed.

The aquarium was part of a public art program. The airport spent $200,000 on the exhibit, which included the 12-foot tank.

Campuzano-Martine was cited for careless driving. No number was listed for her in public records.

Recent Nation stories

Man in Utah takes wrong turn and bails out of car before it's hit by commuter train - November 10, 2009

Man in Utah takes wrong turn and bails out of car before it's hit by commuter train - A man whose car became stuck on a set of railroad tracks bailed out before a commuter train plowed into it. Danny Ray Olsen, 62, said he took a wrong turn in Ogden and got his 1998 Nissan Sentra high-centered between two sets of rails Monday evening. He said he saw lights approaching in his rearview mirror and decided to get out. More