Three Oaks Middle teacher injured in Alico Road crash

LEE COUNTY — A Lee County teacher was severely injured Monday morning in an early morning crash near the intersection of Alico Road and Ben Hill Griffin Parkway. Lee County School District spokesman Joe Donzelli said the driver injured in one of the vehicles was William “Skip” Perry, band director at Three Oaks Middle School. No additional information about Perry’s condition was available. Donzelli said the district will have grief counselors on available to students and teachers Tuesday. “All those preparations for people to remain in standby were made tonight,” he said. According to Florida Highway Patrol, Perry was driving a 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse east on Alico Road, while fellow Fort Myers resident Michael Dewayne Bertsch was driving a 2006 Peterbuilt semi-truck west on Alico Road. FHP reports said that at around 8:44 a.m. Perry’s Eclipse crossed the center line and hit the left front side of the truck. After the impact, FHP reports said that the Eclipse rotated counter clockwise and came to a final rest on the east bound lane facing south. The truck continued eastbound and came to a final rest facing west. Perry was airlifted to Lee Memorial Hospital in critical condition. The accident shut down Alico Road at Ben Hill Griffin Parkway in Lee County for several hours, and a HAZMAT crew had to clean diesel fuel from the accident off the road before it could be reopened. FHP reports said charges are pending in the accident. for more information please visit: http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/apr/11/three-oaks-middle-william-skip-perry-alico-crash/

Lakeland Teen Struck by Car Listed in Serious Condition

A 14-year-old girl who was struck by a car Tuesday morning while attempting to walk across North Socrum Loop Road near Lake Gibson Middle School, was listed in serious condition in the Tampa General Hospital Children's Medical Center on Wednesday morning. Alexis Spiker, of 6950 N. Socrum Loop Road, in Lakeland, was taken to Tampa General Hospital on Tuesday night. Witnesses said about 6:45 a.m. Spiker walked into the path of a 1994 Toyota Celica driven by Morgan Taylor Thompson, 18, of 4336 Knight Station Road, in Lakeland, according to the Florida Highway Patrol's crash report. Spiker was trying to cross North Socrum Loop Road from east to west in front of the middle school. She was thrown about 30 feet from the impact, the report said. for more information please visit: http://www.theledger.com/article/20110412/news/110419807

Child struck, killed when truck backs over her

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- A 4-year-old girl died after she was run over by a pickup truck being worked on outside her home. Authorities say Jalessa Gonzalez was struck about 5:12 p.m. Monday. Lee County Sheriff's deputies say 43-year-old Damon J. Drouin was in the driver's seat of a Chevy Silverado when his friend asked him to move the truck so he could continue working on the stereo system. He struck the child after putting the truck in reverse. Drouin was arrested on multiple charges of driving with a suspended driver's license. Deputies say Drouin has a history of criminal traffic violations, including DUI. He is being held in Lee County Jail and bond was denied. for more information please visit: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/12/2163029/child-struck-killed-when-truck.html

Woman airlifted after head-on collision

SEBRING -- A woman was airlifted to Tampa Saturday morning after a head-on collision on Memorial Drive. The crash occurred at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Sunset Drive just before 11 a.m.. The two vehicles involved, a Saturn and a Rent-A-Center van, were headed in opposite directions on Memorial. "The van was headed northbound on Sunset and she was headed southbound," Highlands County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Barry Jones said. The West Sebring Volunteer Fire Department, several deputies, along with several on-lookers were on the scene. None of the on-lookers witnessed the accident. "They hit head-on; it looks like she crossed over into the other lane," said Florida Highway Patrol Trooper John Paikai. Jones echoed Paikai's observations, agreeing that the female driver of the Saturn had crossed into the northbound lane, though there was no concrete answer why she had. "He (driver of the van) is OK I think, just a scratch on the head and ear," Paikai said, but the driver of the Saturn wasn't so lucky. "She's being transported to Tampa for head trauma." The driver of the van was treated on site and was not transported to the hospital. The unidentified female driver was pulled from her vehicle by a handful of Highlands County EMT's and volunteer firefighters. The woman repeatedly told Paikai that she had been wearing her seatbelt, however Paikai and Jones are not completely sure the driver had been strapped in. "You can tell when a seatbelt was worn. There are indentations across the chest and the lap and I didn't see any," Jones said. Traffic along Memorial came to a short standstill as the accident site was cleaned up and the drivers were treated and transported. The accident is under investigation. for more information please visit: http://www.newssun.com/040311-sg-Memorial-Crash

Pedestrian Killed in Early Morning Crash on SR 50

A 24-year-old woman who ran directly into the path of a vehicle, died on the spot after she was struck on SR 50, east of Old Cheney Highway in Orange County, troopers said. Florida Highway Patrol said, Alicia Stokes, of Orlando, who was in the parking lot of Mr. Sisters, ran across the eastbound lanes of SR 50, into the direct path of a Toyota Camry driven by 37-year-old Nicole Williams, also of Orlando. The accident happened just after 1:30 am, on Saturday. Troopers said, the right front of Williams’ vehicle struck Stokes, who was pronounced dead on the spot by the medical examiner. Williams was not hurt as a result of the crash. No charges are pending, troopers said. for more information please visit: http://westorlandonews.com/2011/04/09/pedestrian-killed-in-early-morning-crash-on-sr-50/

Police identify man who died in Port St. Lucie crash Monday

PORT ST. LUCIE — The motorcycle rider who died following a Monday night crash at Southwest Port St. Lucie Boulevard and Southwest Chestnut Lane has been identified as Jeffery Stone, police said Wednesday. St. Lucie County Fire District crews at 9:50 p.m. Monday were called to the reported collision involving a car and a motorcycle, Fire District spokeswoman Catherine Chaney has said. The motorcycle is thought to have been traveling at speeds greater than 100 mph before crashing into the car, Officer Tom Nichols, Port St. Lucie police spokesman, has said. Stone, 25, died at the scene, while a woman in her late teens was flown to a local trauma center in stable condition. The woman was driving the car. for more information please visit: http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2011/apr/06/police-identify-man-who-died-in-port-st-lucie/?partner=yahoo_feeds

I-4 crash kills Orlando man

A 22-year-old man died in a crash on westbound Interstate 4 Sunday and one of his passengers is in serious condition. Florida Highway Patrol troopers said Ali Muhammad Chehab, of Orlando, died when his Toyota Scion flipped on I-4 south of State Road 436. Troopers said Chehab was driving on the inside lane when another driver suddenly veered their car into his lane without using a turn signal. Chehab veered quickly to the left and drove off the roadway. He steered right and then left again, causing his car to overturn at least once. Officials said Chehab was partially ejected. He died at Florida Hospital Altamonte. Passenger Stanley Augustin, 20, of Kissimmee, is listed in serious condition at Orlando Regional Medical Center. The other two passengers in Chehab's vehicle were not injured in the crash. FHP investigators said Chehab and Augustin were not wearing their seat belts. Troopers said the driver of the car that veered into Chehab's lane didn't stop. for more information please visit: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-04-11/news/os-fatal-crash-seminole-20110411_1_orlando-man-crash-troopers

Cocoa couple killed in motorcycle crash

KISSIMMEE — A husband and wife from Cocoa died when a pickup truck turned into the path of their motorcycle on U.S. 192 in Osceola County. The Florida Highway Patrol says 55-year-old James Hudson and 56-year-old Mary Hudson died Sunday afternoon. Officials say 22-year-old Ashley Williams was driving the pickup truck, which was stopped at a stop sign before turning into the direct path of the motorcycle. Williams was treated for minor injuries at a hospital. The Highway Patrol says the accident remains under investigation and charges are pending. for more information please visit: http://www.app.com/article/A9/20110404/NEWS01/110404001/Cocoa-couple-killed-motorcycle-crash

Key Largo man dies when struck by truck

A Key Largo man was killed Thursday when his bicycle was hit from behind on County Road 905 on North Key Largo. Gil Grove, 57, was riding south along the two-lane road to the Ocean Reef Club when he was struck from behind by a pickup truck, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The 11:30 a.m. accident took place about four miles north of the intersection with U.S. 1 at mile marker 107, said FHP Lt. Alex Annunziato. Grove died at the scene, Annunziato said. The pickup, also headed south, was driven by Francisco J. Revuelta, 32, of Homestead. No charges have been filed pending additional investigation. Memorial arrangements, still being finalized, are being handled by Beyer Funeral Home of Key Largo. Grove's death is the fourth traffic-related fatality on roads south of Florida City this year. for more information please visit: http://www.keysnet.com/2011/04/02/325034/key-largo-man-dies-when-struck.html

Bicyclist critically hurt in crash on U.S. 441 near Micanopy

A bike rider from New Jersey was critically injured Monday afternoon after going through the windshield of a Honda Civic on U.S. 441. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Jayne Henry, 54, was apparently on her way back to Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park — where she had been earlier in the day — when she pulled in front of a Honda Civic on U.S. 441. Trooper Richard Crawford said Henry was headed south in the bike lane alongside U.S. 441. As Henry approached the left turn lane for the park entrance on Savannah Road, “She traveled across both southbound lanes directly in front [of the Honda], which caused the left side of the bicycle to collide with the right front of the [Honda],” Crawford wrote in a report on the accident. Following the impact, Henry became airborne and went through the windshield of the car, Crawford said. The car was being driven by April Ford, 19, of Summerfield. Ford and her passenger, Shaquita James, 18, were not physically injured, according to FHP, but were badly shaken by the accident. Henry was airlifted to Shands at the University of Florida in extremely critical condition with life-threatening injuries. The four-lane highway was closed briefly following the 3:45 p.m. accident to allow the Shands helicopter to land. Then one lane of the highway was opened in each direction to give troopers and others time and space to investigate the physical evidence at the scene. All four lanes of the highway had been reopened by sunset, troopers said. for more information please visit: http://www.ocala.com/article/20110411/articles/110419954

Orlando Boy Struck, Killed While Riding Scooter

Boy, 7, Struck And Killed While Riding Scooter An Orlando boy was struck and killed by a car while riding his scooter in an apartment complex parking lot. Police said 7-year-old Alberto De Alba darted in front of a car driven by Merline Jean about 4:30 p.m. Sunday. The accident happened at the Ridge Club Apartments in Orlando. The boy was taken to a hospital, where he died. Authorities said he was not wearing a helmet. Police said no charges were filed against the driver. for more information please visit: http://www.theledger.com/article/20110411/NEWS/110419892/1374?Title=Boy-7-Struck-And-Killed-While-Riding-Scooter-

Man loses balance, fatally hit by truck

A 69-year-old man died after losing his balance, falling into the road and getting hit by a truck Monday afternoon, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report. Authorities are withholding the pedestrian's name until his relatives are notified. The accident happened about 1 p.m., as Donald A. Buck Jr., 43, of Tarpon Springs was driving his 2011 Ford F-450 truck north on Seven Springs Boulevard, south of State Road 54. Buck swerved, but was unable to avoid hitting the man who fell in the street, the FHP said. The agency has determined Buck was not at fault. for more information please visit: http://www.tampabay.com/news/article1163165.ece

Fort Lauderdale truck driver killed crossing I-75 after crash

A truck driver from Fort Lauderdale died on Interstate 75 on Friday after his rig was in a crash and he tried to cross the highway on foot in the predawn darkness. Lucas Joseph Folino, 36, was driving south around 6 a.m. when his truck hit the back of another tractor-trailer and jackknifed into the median, the Florida Highway Patrol said. After leaving his cab, Folino was hit by a northbound car and died at the scene, investigators said. It is the fourth time in recent months that motorists have exited vehicles on busy South Florida highways and were fatally struck by fast-moving traffic. for more information please visit: http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2011-04-08/news/fl-interstate-75-accident-20110408_1_truck-driver-busy-road-early-morning-crash

Clearwater motorcyclist injured in hit-and-run

TAMPA - A Clearwater motorcyclist was injured Friday night when a car pulled in front of him, deputies said. Gregory Conklin, 52, of 2134 Bradford St., was thrown 30 feet from his 1991 Harley-Davidson about 11:30 p.m. at Fisher and Curlew roads. He was not wearing a helmet, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said. Conklin was in good condition tonight at St. Joseph's Hospital, a hospital spokesman said. Investigator said a 2007 Pontiac G-5 made a U-turn in front of Conklin. The driver, Lajune B. Castro, 60, of 2500 Winding Creek Blvd. in Clearwater, left the scene but was later found in a parking lot at U.S. 19 and Curlew Road, deputies said. Castro wasn't injured. The crash remains under investigation. for more information please visit: http://www2.tbo.com/content/2011/apr/09/092017/clearwater-motorcyclist-injured-in-hit-and-run-cra/

Ruskin coupled killed in two-vehicle crash

RUSKIN - A Ruskin couple was killed late Friday in a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of US Highway 41 and Cockroach Bay Rd. Clarence W. Bassett Jr., 82, and Sallie Bassett, 70, were pronounced dead at the scene just after 11pm. According to a Florida Highway Patrol report Bassett Jr. was driving east on Cockroach Bay Rd. in his 2001 Chevrolet Colorado when he entered US 41, directly into the path of a 2003 Ford Expedition. The driver of the Expedition, 32-year-old Vincent Clavel-Menjivar, was unable to avoid a collision and struck the left side of the Colorado. Bassett’s vehicle overturned onto its left side. Clavel-Menjivar and a passenger in his vehicle, 32-year-old Gloria Cortez, both suffered minor injuries. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. for more information please visit: http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/hillsborough/ruskin_fatal_crash040911

Motorcyclist, 19, killed in Holiday crash

HOLIDAY — A 19-year-old motorcyclist died early Sunday after colliding with a vehicle, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The crash happened about 7:55 a.m. on Grand Boulevard near Cheyenne Drive, according to the patrol. Bryan Lohr of Holiday died at the scene. Troopers said a 1997 Mercury driven by Christopher Henn, 27, of Holiday was southbound on Grand Boulevard when Henn attempted to turn left into a driveway. Henn apparently didn't see Lohr's northbound motorcycle, crossing his path and causing the front of the motorcycle to hit the right side of the vehicle. Henn and passenger Scott Ebersole, 52, of South Bend, Ind., suffered minor injuries. Lohr was wearing a helmet, according to the patrol. Henn and Ebersole were wearing seat belts. for more information please visit: http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/accidents/motorcyclist-19-killed-in-holiday-crash/1162952

Motorcyclist Killed in Crash On S.R. 33

A Mulberry motorcyclist was killed Thursday morning after trying to pass a truck on State Road 33 north of Polk City, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Donald D. Allen, 69, of 355 Lake Huron Drive, was flown from the crash scene to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The crash occurred just before 11 a.m. while Allen was driving north on State Road 33, approaching Double Diamond Drive, deputies said. He was behind a pick-up truck driven by Robert Heidler, 35, of 1010 Sunshine Drive E., in Lakeland, who was towing a boat. Heidler began to make a left turn onto Double Diamond Drive when Allen crossed a double yellow line into the southbound lane of State Road 33 and tried to pass, deputies said. Allen's 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle struck the driver's side door of the truck. He was ejected and came to rest on Double Diamond Drive. He was not wearing a helmet, deputies said. for more information please visit: http://www.theledger.com/article/20110407/news/110409559&tc=yahoo

Truck hits riding mower, killing one and injuring another

A 45-year-old Hernando, Fla. man crossing a Citrus County highway on a riding lawn mower Friday night died after he was hit by a pickup truck. His passenger was injured. The riding mower's driver, Rex Siglin, 45, was attempting to cross State Road 200 from the west shoulder down East Brave Lane in Citrus County, a Florida Highway Patrol report said. At the same time, a 2005 Ford F-350 pickup, driven by Woodrow Story, 30, of Homosassa, was traveling north approaching the same intersection. Siglin failed to yield the right of way to Story and was struck by the pickup, the report said. Siglin was taken to Citrus Memorial Hospital where he died from his injuries. Siglin's passenger, Terry Rowe, 63, also of Hernando, Fla., sustained minor injuries. The crash remains under investigation. for more information please visit: http://www2.hernandotoday.com/content/2011/apr/11/111030/truck-hits-riding-mower-killing-one-and-injuring-a/

Seven people injured in night of motorcycle crashes

Seven people injured in night of motorcycle crashes

PINELLAS PARK-There was a lot of mayhem involving motorcycles in the area around U.S.19 and 49th Street in Pinellas Park Wednesday night.

A series of incidents involving eight motorcyclists resulted in seven people being injured –six of them motorcyclists. Police said one of the motorcyclists suffered life-threatening injuries; everyone else involved in the incidents is expected to recover.

The incidents took place within about an hour and shut down parts of U.S.19 and 49th Street Wednesday night.

In the first, at 9 p.m. in the 12100 block of 49th Street, police said three motorcycles were speeding north when one of the riders, Pablo Quintana, 20, of Tarpon Springs, struck the back of a 2001 Lincoln that had just made a U-tum

Quintana, who was thrown 200 feet, suffered serious injuries but is expected to recover.

The driver of the Lincoln, Larhonda Robinson, 17, of Pinellas Park, was treated for minor injuries.

The other two motorcycles were laid down by their riders, Sven Desouza, 36, of Cleanl'ater, and Mikhail Lochan, 19, of Hud­son. Lochan suffered serious injuries, police said, but is expected to recover. Desouza, who slid about 250 feet, was treated at a hospital for a concussion and road rash, and then was released, police said.

All three motorcyclists were wearing helmets, police said. An investigation is ongoing and police have not yet determined whether charges will be filed.

A second serious motorcycle crash occurred about an hour later as authorities investigated two other minor incidents - both also involving motorcycles in the 12500 block of U.S.19 at about 9:40 p.m., Florida Highway Patrol troopers were summoned to that area to investigate an incident in which a car struck a metal object in the road that was then thrown into a motorcycle. The object disabled both the car and motorcycle.

As traffic slowed, another motorcyclist ran into the back of a car. No one was injured in either incident. But, as troopers investigated the two incidents, three motor­cyclists drove by. One of them, Pedro Manuel Perez, 50, of Palm Harbor, ran into the rear of a motorcycle driven by Randall Dean Shoudt, 44, of Clearwa­ ter. Perez was looking at the initial crash scenes when he hit Shoudt's bike, police said. Both Perez and Shoudt fell onto the road. That's when the third motorcycle, driven by Anthony Francese, 67, of Shrewsbury, Mass., slid into Perez. Francese had tried to stop his motorcycle, but could not and was thrown from the bike, police said. Perez suffered life-threatening injuries, police said, and was taken to Bayfront Medical Center. The hospital did not release his condition Thursday.

Shoudt and Francese suffered minor injurie.s and were treated at the scene.

Police said Perez and Shoudt were not wearing helmets. Francese was wearing a skull cap-like helmet, police said

Police say they are still investigating and deciding whether charge will be filed.

Motorcyclist killed in crash

TAMPA -A 25-year-old man was killed when he wrecked a motorcycle early Thursday morning.

The man, whose name has not been released, was traveling north at high speed on Nebraska Avenue about 2 a.m., according to the Tampa Police Department. At East Yukon Street, he crashed into the back of a pickup, authorities said.

Emergency crews took him to Tampa General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police look at traffic collision, crash was in neighborhood

A 23-year-old man died Tuesday when the car in which he was a passenger smashed into a truck at high speed on a residential street in Palm Bay.

Police said Robert Alexander Williams died at the scene where a Chevrolet Impala ran into a Silverado as the truck was being backed out of a residential driveway in the 1300 block of Jupiter Boulevard.

The deadly two-vehicle crash happened about 2:30 a.m.

"The Impala was going about 100 mph before It crashed," said Yvonne Martinez, spokeswoman for the Palm Bay Police Department.

The driver of the Impala identified as Scott Bradford Williams, 22 -was airlifted to Holmes Regional Medical Center. Police said the driver was not related to the victim. Two other crash victims­ Adam Beyer, the 19-year-old driver of the truck, and 18-year-old Katlynn Stone­ were taken by ambulance to a hospital.

Patrol officers along with paramedics from Palm Bay Fire-Rescue tended to the four injured people at the site.

An investigation is ongoing.

Florida Today Brevard County Daily 72,650

April 7, 2011

Car Slams Into School Bus

Workers pull a mangled car from under a school bus Thursday near the intersection of U.S.17 and Golf Course Boulevard, east of Punta Gorda. Officials say the driver of the car suffered life-threatening injuries in the crash. Two of the approximately 40 East Elementary School students on the bus were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.

Seven-year-old Cierra Deel, a second-grader at East Elementary, was seated near the back of the bus when the crash occurred. Cierra said she felt the car slam into the bus, forcing several of her schoolmates onto the floor and aisle. “I was scared a lot," she said, wearing a brave smile. "But I was sitting with my friend and be was protecting me." Cierra was checked over by paramedics at the scene as her worried parents looked on. All three shed a few tears during their hugged-filled reunion.

The second-grader bashfully admitted that she also cried as she watched one of her friends taken by ambulance to a local hospital. "She hurt her back. She was struck hard and then fell on the floor," Cierra said.

She and all other students not taken to the hospital were brought back to East Elementary School located just blocks from the crash scene on Fairway Drive, with parents advised of the news through the district's automated phone alert system, Parent Link.

Peggy McQueen's 11-year-old grandchild called her frantically after the crash. The Charlotte County woman sped to the scene as quickly as she could, still dressed only in her pajamas. "They're all pretty shook up," McQueen said of the students as she headed back to her car. "My heart is still racing too."

Several distressed parents arrived at the scene, scanning the dozens of children grouped together in a grassy area off the north side ofU.S.17. Many were escorted by law enforcement and school officials across the busy highway to be reunited with their children. After a while, though, parents and other family members were instructed to head to the school as law enforcement and school officials boarded the students onto a different bus that was headed back to East Elementary. That frustrated a few parents, who didn't know at first whether their child was one of the few transported to a hospital. Mike Riley, spokesman for district, said alerts were sent out to parents immediately once radio dispatch called in and reported the crash. Naturally, the alerts were beaten, time wise, by cell phone calls from those at the scene, Riley said.

Emergency workers and school officials keep a watch on dozens of East Elementary School students uninjured in a school bus crash Thursday in Punta Gorda. Two students were taken to Peace River Regional Medical Center with minor injuries. Four other students also suffered "very minor injuries” officials said.

However, many parents first received news of the crash from their frightened children themselves, as many of the older students called their families on their cell phones.

Several parents at the scene expressed concerns that the bus route included crossing the intersection of U.S. 17and Golf Course Boulevard, an intersection without a traffic light that many said is dangerous and prone to collisions. Riley said bus routes are thoughtfully mapped out, with officials utilizing a number of computer programs that review traffic flow, lights and congestion. He said he couldn't recall a past school bus accident at this intersection, but that the district would review it, citing the district's top concern for student safety.

Truck driver flees after hitting bridge

WESLEY CHAPEL Truck driver flees after hitting bridge A semitrailer truck carrying a crane north on Interstate 75 struck the bridge at Overpass Road on Monday, flinging debris that dam­aged two cars, the Florida Highway Patrol reported. Troopers are still looking for the driver of the truck. The collision caused hunks of concrete to fall on a black 2011 Buick. A passenger in the Buick, which was driven by a man from Illinois, suf­fered minor injuries and was taken to University Com­munity Hospital, the patrol said. The truck, described as having a red, white and blue Volvo tractor, was seen exiting at State Road 52, traveling west Anyone with information is asked to call the FHP at (813) 631-4020 or *FHP. St Petersburg Times Citrus county edition