A Gibsonton man died early Saturday after his car hit a ditch and flipped over in
Riverview, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said. Dusty Lee Maskrey,19, was
headed south on Riverview Drive at 2:23 am when he missed a curve, hit a ditch
and struck a utility pole near Van Fleet Road, investigators said. Maskrey of Isabel
Avenue was alone in the 1993 Ford Mustang convertible. He died at the scene, deputies said.
St Petersburg Times
Pinellas County
Showing posts with label fatal accident. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fatal accident. Show all posts
Monday, August 15, 2011
New Port Richey motorcyclist dies in crash
A 36- year-old motorcyclist was killed after he veered off Cecilia Drive and crashed Friday afternoon, police said. Luis R. Torres of New Port Richey was westbound near
Greenwood Street when, for an unknown reason, his 2008 Suzuki GSXR-1000 went off the
road and crashed into a parked car at about 4:20 p.m., according to New Port Richey police. Torres, who appeared to have been speeding, was thrown from the bike, police said. He was pronounced dead at Bayfront Medical Center, police said.
St Petersburg Times
Pinellas County
Greenwood Street when, for an unknown reason, his 2008 Suzuki GSXR-1000 went off the
road and crashed into a parked car at about 4:20 p.m., according to New Port Richey police. Torres, who appeared to have been speeding, was thrown from the bike, police said. He was pronounced dead at Bayfront Medical Center, police said.
St Petersburg Times
Pinellas County
1 dead in crash with TFD firetruck
A motorcyclist died Wednesday night in a crash with a Tallahassee Fire Department
truck. The crash occurred at 8:23 p.m. at the intersection of Tennessee Street and White Drive, TPD spokeswoman Officer Susan Newhouse said. The TFD truck was traveling west on Tennessee responding to a call. Newhouse said the truck had its lights and sirens on. The motorcyclist was traveling south on White when the crash occurred and died at the scene. Newhouse said the investigation was ongoing and did not have information including the identity of the motorcyclist or those in the
TFD truck. More than a dozen TPD and TFD vehicles surrounded the scene to investigate. Yellow caution tape cordoned off the westbound lanes of the intersection. TPD vehicles had blocked westbound lanes of Tennessee as far away as Ocala Road as the investigation continued.
Tallahassee
Democrat
Leon County
By Derek Redd
Democrat night editor
truck. The crash occurred at 8:23 p.m. at the intersection of Tennessee Street and White Drive, TPD spokeswoman Officer Susan Newhouse said. The TFD truck was traveling west on Tennessee responding to a call. Newhouse said the truck had its lights and sirens on. The motorcyclist was traveling south on White when the crash occurred and died at the scene. Newhouse said the investigation was ongoing and did not have information including the identity of the motorcyclist or those in the
TFD truck. More than a dozen TPD and TFD vehicles surrounded the scene to investigate. Yellow caution tape cordoned off the westbound lanes of the intersection. TPD vehicles had blocked westbound lanes of Tennessee as far away as Ocala Road as the investigation continued.
Tallahassee
Democrat
Leon County
By Derek Redd
Democrat night editor
Teen killed in Sunday crash
GRAND RIDGE
A single-car crash early Sunday killed a Sneads teen and left another in a hospital in critical condition, the Florida Highway Patrol reported. Joshua Lee Jaworski, 19, was driving a 2000 Acura on U.S. 90 eastbound with 17-year-old passenger Audrionna Schae Pearson when the car went onto the shoulder, hit a culvert and became airborne. The car rolled once and came to rest on its roof. Jaworski was killed and Pearson was taken to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, FHP reported. Both teens were wearing seat belts.
A single-car crash early Sunday killed a Sneads teen and left another in a hospital in critical condition, the Florida Highway Patrol reported. Joshua Lee Jaworski, 19, was driving a 2000 Acura on U.S. 90 eastbound with 17-year-old passenger Audrionna Schae Pearson when the car went onto the shoulder, hit a culvert and became airborne. The car rolled once and came to rest on its roof. Jaworski was killed and Pearson was taken to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, FHP reported. Both teens were wearing seat belts.
1 killed in U.S. 331 wreck
DeFUNIAK SPRINGS
A driver was attempting to make a U-turn on U.S. 331 just north of Liberty when his truck collided with an SUV, killing the passenger and critically injuring the driver about 12:15 p.m. Sunday. Katherine Helmes Bryan, 53, of DeFuniak Springs, was pronounced dead on the scene after the 2004 Ford Explorer she was riding in collided with a 1997 Ford F150 driven by Shawn Patrick Barnes, 37, of Florala, Ala.
The driver of the Explorer, Ronald Lee Bellamy, 36, also of DeFuniak Springs, was critically injured. Barnes and his passenger, Tina Loreen Barnes, 42, of F1orala, Ala., were not injured.
Panama City News Herald
Bay County
A driver was attempting to make a U-turn on U.S. 331 just north of Liberty when his truck collided with an SUV, killing the passenger and critically injuring the driver about 12:15 p.m. Sunday. Katherine Helmes Bryan, 53, of DeFuniak Springs, was pronounced dead on the scene after the 2004 Ford Explorer she was riding in collided with a 1997 Ford F150 driven by Shawn Patrick Barnes, 37, of Florala, Ala.
The driver of the Explorer, Ronald Lee Bellamy, 36, also of DeFuniak Springs, was critically injured. Barnes and his passenger, Tina Loreen Barnes, 42, of F1orala, Ala., were not injured.
Panama City News Herald
Bay County
1 killed 2 injured on I-4 bridge
VOLUSIA COUNTY
A Port Orange man was killed early Tuesday in a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 4,
the Florida Highway Patrol said. The crash occurred about 1:15 a.m. on the bridge over the St. Johns River. A 2001 Lexus driven by Eric Mendez, 27, of Orange City struck the rear of a 1994 Jeep driven by Brian Fitzgibbons, 38, troopers said. A third driver, Krystle McFadden, 23, of Deltona, was unable to stop and crashed her 2006 Buick van into the rear of the Lexus, troopers said. Fitzgibbons was killed. McFadden suffered serious injuries and was taken to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach. Mendez had only minor Injuries, troopers said.
-Gary Taylor
Orlando Sentinel
Orange County
A Port Orange man was killed early Tuesday in a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 4,
the Florida Highway Patrol said. The crash occurred about 1:15 a.m. on the bridge over the St. Johns River. A 2001 Lexus driven by Eric Mendez, 27, of Orange City struck the rear of a 1994 Jeep driven by Brian Fitzgibbons, 38, troopers said. A third driver, Krystle McFadden, 23, of Deltona, was unable to stop and crashed her 2006 Buick van into the rear of the Lexus, troopers said. Fitzgibbons was killed. McFadden suffered serious injuries and was taken to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach. Mendez had only minor Injuries, troopers said.
-Gary Taylor
Orlando Sentinel
Orange County
Friday, August 5, 2011
3 Baker sisters killed in wreck
By TOM McLAUGHLIN
Northwest Florida Daily News
tmclaughlin@nwfdailynew.com
Three sisters from Baker were killed and their grandmother was seriously injured Tuesday in a traffic accident in Wing, Ala., just north of the Florida line.
"It was the worst thing we've had in Wing in awhile," said Derek Henley, a firefighter with the Wing Volunteer Fire Department who responded to the 7 p.m. wreck. The Alabama Department of Public Safety identified the victims as Danielle Pippins, 8; Jenelle Pippins, 8; and Savannah Furr Pippins, 11. They all attended Okaloosa County schools. Danielle and Jenelle Pippins were twin sisters and had just completed second grade at Antioch Elementary School in Crestview, said Wanda Avery, the recently appointed school principal.
Avery said her staff notified the school's teachers about the accident using the school's phone tree. "It's a very sad situation. We're all still in shock," she said.
Avery said the school is "open to offer help to the family in any way we can."
Savannah Furr Pippins had just completed sixth grade at Shoal River Middle School in Crestview, Principal Bob Jones said. "You knew who she was because you'd see her smiling so much," he said. Shoal River educators also were grieving.
"It's just been a very, very tough day for us,'' Jones said. The girls ' grandmother, Dianne Poire', 54, of Sarasota, was driving when the accident occurred
at the intersection of Alabama County Route 4 and Alabama State Route 137. She was taken by helicopter to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, according to the Department of Public Safety's news release. She was listed in critical condition Wednesday.
Henley said two young women who he believed were returning to Birmingham, Ala., from a beach vacation on Route 4 ran a stop sign at the intersection of Route 137 and hit the Ford Tempo station wagon occupied by Poire' and the three girls. The impact of the T-bone collision "crushed that little station wagon like a bug," Henley said.
The Department of Public Safety identified Christine Harris as the driver or the 2010Toyota Corolla that ran into the Tempo. Harris was taken to a local hospital and treated for "non-life-threatening injuries," the news release said. Krista Hutchins of Wing said several residents rushed to the scene to try to help the victims.
She identified four of the good Samaritans as James Hooker, Greg Ross, Chet Ross and Barbara Jordan. "They pulled the little girls out and tried to get the lady out," Hutchins said. "Barbara and the others checked the girls' pulses, and when they realized they were gone they covered them and prayed for them." David Anderson, chief
deputy with the Covington County. Ala., Sheriff's Office said the residents "did everything they could" to help. "That's a good community down there. Those folks
are good to volunteer," he said. Henley, the firefighter, confirmed the children
were killed on impact and the grandmother had to be extricated from the vehicle.
The girls are survived by their mother and stepfather, Jenny and Jim Higdon of
Crestview, and their father, Eric Pippins of Crestview, according to an obituary
from Whitehurst Powell Funeral Home.
Dally News Staff Writer Katie Tammen contributed to this report.
Northwest Florida Daily News
Okaloosa County
Northwest Florida Daily News
tmclaughlin@nwfdailynew.com
Three sisters from Baker were killed and their grandmother was seriously injured Tuesday in a traffic accident in Wing, Ala., just north of the Florida line.
"It was the worst thing we've had in Wing in awhile," said Derek Henley, a firefighter with the Wing Volunteer Fire Department who responded to the 7 p.m. wreck. The Alabama Department of Public Safety identified the victims as Danielle Pippins, 8; Jenelle Pippins, 8; and Savannah Furr Pippins, 11. They all attended Okaloosa County schools. Danielle and Jenelle Pippins were twin sisters and had just completed second grade at Antioch Elementary School in Crestview, said Wanda Avery, the recently appointed school principal.
Avery said her staff notified the school's teachers about the accident using the school's phone tree. "It's a very sad situation. We're all still in shock," she said.
Avery said the school is "open to offer help to the family in any way we can."
Savannah Furr Pippins had just completed sixth grade at Shoal River Middle School in Crestview, Principal Bob Jones said. "You knew who she was because you'd see her smiling so much," he said. Shoal River educators also were grieving.
"It's just been a very, very tough day for us,'' Jones said. The girls ' grandmother, Dianne Poire', 54, of Sarasota, was driving when the accident occurred
at the intersection of Alabama County Route 4 and Alabama State Route 137. She was taken by helicopter to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, according to the Department of Public Safety's news release. She was listed in critical condition Wednesday.
Henley said two young women who he believed were returning to Birmingham, Ala., from a beach vacation on Route 4 ran a stop sign at the intersection of Route 137 and hit the Ford Tempo station wagon occupied by Poire' and the three girls. The impact of the T-bone collision "crushed that little station wagon like a bug," Henley said.
The Department of Public Safety identified Christine Harris as the driver or the 2010Toyota Corolla that ran into the Tempo. Harris was taken to a local hospital and treated for "non-life-threatening injuries," the news release said. Krista Hutchins of Wing said several residents rushed to the scene to try to help the victims.
She identified four of the good Samaritans as James Hooker, Greg Ross, Chet Ross and Barbara Jordan. "They pulled the little girls out and tried to get the lady out," Hutchins said. "Barbara and the others checked the girls' pulses, and when they realized they were gone they covered them and prayed for them." David Anderson, chief
deputy with the Covington County. Ala., Sheriff's Office said the residents "did everything they could" to help. "That's a good community down there. Those folks
are good to volunteer," he said. Henley, the firefighter, confirmed the children
were killed on impact and the grandmother had to be extricated from the vehicle.
The girls are survived by their mother and stepfather, Jenny and Jim Higdon of
Crestview, and their father, Eric Pippins of Crestview, according to an obituary
from Whitehurst Powell Funeral Home.
Dally News Staff Writer Katie Tammen contributed to this report.
Northwest Florida Daily News
Okaloosa County
1 killed when motorcycle strikes UPS truck
A motorcyclist died Tuesday after rear-ending a United Postal Services truck along Gunnery Road near Fourth Street Southwest in Lehigh Acres.
Gerardo Perez Jr., of Lehigh Acres, died at the scene, according to Lee County Sheriff's Office reports. The UPS truck was traveling north on Gunnery Road,
approaching Fourth Street Southwest, when a 2003 Kawasaki hit the UPS truck.
The driver of the UPS truck was not injured.
Naples Daily News
Collier County
Gerardo Perez Jr., of Lehigh Acres, died at the scene, according to Lee County Sheriff's Office reports. The UPS truck was traveling north on Gunnery Road,
approaching Fourth Street Southwest, when a 2003 Kawasaki hit the UPS truck.
The driver of the UPS truck was not injured.
Naples Daily News
Collier County
1-year-old dies after Monday accident
A baby boy from Panama City Beach died Tuesday night after he was injured in a wreck on Interstate 10 on Monday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
His mother, Quynh-Nhu Thuy Samantha Nguyen, 20, was driving east on I-10 a few miles east of Mossy Head at 6:20 a.m. according to an FHP news release. She reached over to the passenger seat where 12-year-old Cynthia Nguyen was holding the boy, Javon
Johnson, and lost control of the car. Two other children, Omari Johnson, 3, and
Naomi Nguyen, 5, were also in the car. None of the five were wearing a seatbelt.
Javon Johnson was flown to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola along with the
other two young children. He was pronounced dead Tuesday night at10:10 p.m., according to the release. Charges are pending.
Northwest Florida
Daily News
Okaloosa County
His mother, Quynh-Nhu Thuy Samantha Nguyen, 20, was driving east on I-10 a few miles east of Mossy Head at 6:20 a.m. according to an FHP news release. She reached over to the passenger seat where 12-year-old Cynthia Nguyen was holding the boy, Javon
Johnson, and lost control of the car. Two other children, Omari Johnson, 3, and
Naomi Nguyen, 5, were also in the car. None of the five were wearing a seatbelt.
Javon Johnson was flown to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola along with the
other two young children. He was pronounced dead Tuesday night at10:10 p.m., according to the release. Charges are pending.
Northwest Florida
Daily News
Okaloosa County
Monday, June 20, 2011
Autopsy shows youth had alcohol in system
CRASH KILLED FOUR: But experts say Sean Leonard was not legally impaired
By DALE WHITE
dale. white@heraldtribune.com
SARASOTA COUNTY - An autopsy report shows that the driver of an SUV that crashed in
March, killing him and three other teenagers, had alcohol and marijuana in his system at the
time of the wreck. Yet experts say the results do not indicate that Sean Leonard, 19, was legally impaired. About 5:30 a.m. on March 13, Leonard lost control of a Chevrolet TrailBlazer while driving eastbound on Wilkinson Road. The Florida Highway Patrol, which is still investigating the accident, determined that the SUV was traveling at 99 mph when Leonard failed to negotiate a curve.
The vehicle veered into an oncoming lane, jumped a curb and rolled into a concrete block wall
at Marcott Circle. Also killed were Leonard's three passengers: Andrew Monroe, 19; Kelly Janis, 15; and Leonard's sister, Jessica Leonard, 14.
Dr. Russell Vega, the medical examiner, and Dr. Wilson A. Broussard, who conducted the autopsies, were unavailable for comment Monday. Yet two independent pathologists agreed that the findings do not show that Leonard - whose alcohol level was .01 and .03 in separate tests - was legally intoxicated. Dr. Thomas W. Young, a former medical examiner in Missouri who is a forensic consultant in court cases, described Leonard's alcohol level as "very low" if it was at .01.
In Florida, a driver with a blood-alcohol level of .08 is considered intoxicated.
In Florida, where the legal drinking age is 21, state law is more strict for underage drivers.
According to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles, any driver under 21 whose alcohol level is .02 or above faces a license suspension for six months. Separate tests show ''byproducts of smoking marijuana" in Leonard's blood, Young said. But the pathologist regarded the amounts of
THC, the hallucinogenic substance in marijuana, to be "not particularly meaningful" and inconclusive as to whether Leonard was high during the wreck. Marijuana byproducts can stay
in the body long after the drug was used, he said. Dr. Stephen Godfrey, also a pathologist and
court expert in Missouri, said Leonard's THC levels show "some cannabis use in the last 24 to 48 hours." Passenger Andrew Monroe,19, had a blood-alcohol level of .13; his liver also tested positive for traces of cannabis, the medical examiner's report stated. Rear-seat passenger Kelly Janis had a blood alcohol level of .05, but no traces of cannabis.
No alcohol or cannabis was found in tests of the other rear-seat passenger, Jessica Leonard.
The accident caused a wave of mourning across the region among young people and adults who
knew the four teenagers. The two girls both attended Sarasota Military Academy. Leonard and
Monroe graduated from Riverview High School in 2010. Monroe's family declined to comment Monday, noting that the FHP had previously said alcohol was not considered a factor in the crash. Calls to the Leonard and Janis homes were not returned.
Sarasota Herald Tribune
Sarasota County
May 24, 2011
By DALE WHITE
dale. white@heraldtribune.com
SARASOTA COUNTY - An autopsy report shows that the driver of an SUV that crashed in
March, killing him and three other teenagers, had alcohol and marijuana in his system at the
time of the wreck. Yet experts say the results do not indicate that Sean Leonard, 19, was legally impaired. About 5:30 a.m. on March 13, Leonard lost control of a Chevrolet TrailBlazer while driving eastbound on Wilkinson Road. The Florida Highway Patrol, which is still investigating the accident, determined that the SUV was traveling at 99 mph when Leonard failed to negotiate a curve.
The vehicle veered into an oncoming lane, jumped a curb and rolled into a concrete block wall
at Marcott Circle. Also killed were Leonard's three passengers: Andrew Monroe, 19; Kelly Janis, 15; and Leonard's sister, Jessica Leonard, 14.
Dr. Russell Vega, the medical examiner, and Dr. Wilson A. Broussard, who conducted the autopsies, were unavailable for comment Monday. Yet two independent pathologists agreed that the findings do not show that Leonard - whose alcohol level was .01 and .03 in separate tests - was legally intoxicated. Dr. Thomas W. Young, a former medical examiner in Missouri who is a forensic consultant in court cases, described Leonard's alcohol level as "very low" if it was at .01.
In Florida, a driver with a blood-alcohol level of .08 is considered intoxicated.
In Florida, where the legal drinking age is 21, state law is more strict for underage drivers.
According to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles, any driver under 21 whose alcohol level is .02 or above faces a license suspension for six months. Separate tests show ''byproducts of smoking marijuana" in Leonard's blood, Young said. But the pathologist regarded the amounts of
THC, the hallucinogenic substance in marijuana, to be "not particularly meaningful" and inconclusive as to whether Leonard was high during the wreck. Marijuana byproducts can stay
in the body long after the drug was used, he said. Dr. Stephen Godfrey, also a pathologist and
court expert in Missouri, said Leonard's THC levels show "some cannabis use in the last 24 to 48 hours." Passenger Andrew Monroe,19, had a blood-alcohol level of .13; his liver also tested positive for traces of cannabis, the medical examiner's report stated. Rear-seat passenger Kelly Janis had a blood alcohol level of .05, but no traces of cannabis.
No alcohol or cannabis was found in tests of the other rear-seat passenger, Jessica Leonard.
The accident caused a wave of mourning across the region among young people and adults who
knew the four teenagers. The two girls both attended Sarasota Military Academy. Leonard and
Monroe graduated from Riverview High School in 2010. Monroe's family declined to comment Monday, noting that the FHP had previously said alcohol was not considered a factor in the crash. Calls to the Leonard and Janis homes were not returned.
Sarasota Herald Tribune
Sarasota County
May 24, 2011
Motorcyclist killed was Lehigh man
FORT MYERS
Fort Myers police have identified the man killed in a motorcycle crash Sunday morning as Rafael Vaca Vazquez, 25, of Lehigh Acres.
The crash occurred at 1:32 a.m. at the intersection of Jackson Street and Dora Street Police said VacaVazquez was not wearing a helmet when he was thrown from the motorcycle.
No other vehicles are believed to have been involved in the crash, which is under investigation.
Ft Myers News Press
Lee County
May 24, 2011
Fort Myers police have identified the man killed in a motorcycle crash Sunday morning as Rafael Vaca Vazquez, 25, of Lehigh Acres.
The crash occurred at 1:32 a.m. at the intersection of Jackson Street and Dora Street Police said VacaVazquez was not wearing a helmet when he was thrown from the motorcycle.
No other vehicles are believed to have been involved in the crash, which is under investigation.
Ft Myers News Press
Lee County
May 24, 2011
Crash fatal to driver hit leaving Walmart
ORANGE COUNTY
A driver leaving a Walmart was hit by a sport-utility vehicle early Thursday and died at a hospital, the Florida Highway Patrol said. Marie Pierre Canel 26, of Orlando, was turning left to leave the store at 8990 Turkey Lake Road and drove her 2001 Pontiac Sunfire into the path of
a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban driven by Kirsten West, 37, of Ocoee, investigators said Canel died later at Orlando Regional Medical Center, troopers said. West was taken to ORMC in serious condition.
- Susan Jacobson
Orlando Sentinel
Orange County
May 21, 2011
A driver leaving a Walmart was hit by a sport-utility vehicle early Thursday and died at a hospital, the Florida Highway Patrol said. Marie Pierre Canel 26, of Orlando, was turning left to leave the store at 8990 Turkey Lake Road and drove her 2001 Pontiac Sunfire into the path of
a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban driven by Kirsten West, 37, of Ocoee, investigators said Canel died later at Orlando Regional Medical Center, troopers said. West was taken to ORMC in serious condition.
- Susan Jacobson
Orlando Sentinel
Orange County
May 21, 2011
3 dead in head-on crash of truck, car
ORANGE COUNTY
Three men died early Friday when a 1989 Chevrolet pickup truck crashed head-on into a 2001 Toyota Corolla on Orange Blossom Trail in Apopka. The man driving the wrong-way truck just before 1 a.m. was dead at the scene near Sprint Boulevard. As of Friday night the Florida Highway Patrol had not been able to identify him. The driver of the Toyota, Charles Richard Diaz III, 21, and his passenger, Daniel Francis Morgan, 21, both of
Apopka, also died at the scene.
- Anika Myers Palm
Three men died early Friday when a 1989 Chevrolet pickup truck crashed head-on into a 2001 Toyota Corolla on Orange Blossom Trail in Apopka. The man driving the wrong-way truck just before 1 a.m. was dead at the scene near Sprint Boulevard. As of Friday night the Florida Highway Patrol had not been able to identify him. The driver of the Toyota, Charles Richard Diaz III, 21, and his passenger, Daniel Francis Morgan, 21, both of
Apopka, also died at the scene.
- Anika Myers Palm
Bus backs over, kills 20-year-old
PLANT CITY
Bus backs over, kills 20-year-old
A woman was killed Wednesday after being struck by a school bus about to start its route, police said. The Hillsborough County School District bus was being backed out of a field in the 600 block of E Cherry Street at about 5:30 a.m. when it hit 20-year-old Isabel Martinez, police said. Martinez had crawled under the bus sometime during the night but police are unsure why. The bus is parked overnight at the longtime bus driver's home in Plant City, said Steve Hegarty, a schools spokesman. He said the driver had backed up a few feet when she heard a noise that sounded like she had run something over. She found the body and called 911.
Bus backs over, kills 20-year-old
A woman was killed Wednesday after being struck by a school bus about to start its route, police said. The Hillsborough County School District bus was being backed out of a field in the 600 block of E Cherry Street at about 5:30 a.m. when it hit 20-year-old Isabel Martinez, police said. Martinez had crawled under the bus sometime during the night but police are unsure why. The bus is parked overnight at the longtime bus driver's home in Plant City, said Steve Hegarty, a schools spokesman. He said the driver had backed up a few feet when she heard a noise that sounded like she had run something over. She found the body and called 911.
Police: Car runs red light, kills man
VOLUSIA COUNTY
Police: Car runs red light, kills man
A 56-year-old Port Orange motorcyclist was killed Sunday when a car ran a stoplight near
Daytona Beach and drove into his path, the Florida Highway Patrol said. William Lee
Hughes was northbound on Tomoka Farms Road about 3:35p.m. when a 2007 Chevrolet
driven by Lakecia Harris, 31, of DeLand, ran the light as she drove west on International
Speedway Boulevard, troopers said. The BMW motorcycle hit the left front fender of the
Chevrolet, the highway patrol said. Hughes, who was wearing a helmet, was thrown from the
bike. Harris sustained minorinjuries.
Susan Jacobson
Orlando Sentinel
Orange County
May 31, 2011
Police: Car runs red light, kills man
A 56-year-old Port Orange motorcyclist was killed Sunday when a car ran a stoplight near
Daytona Beach and drove into his path, the Florida Highway Patrol said. William Lee
Hughes was northbound on Tomoka Farms Road about 3:35p.m. when a 2007 Chevrolet
driven by Lakecia Harris, 31, of DeLand, ran the light as she drove west on International
Speedway Boulevard, troopers said. The BMW motorcycle hit the left front fender of the
Chevrolet, the highway patrol said. Hughes, who was wearing a helmet, was thrown from the
bike. Harris sustained minorinjuries.
Susan Jacobson
Orlando Sentinel
Orange County
May 31, 2011
Police: Car runs red light, kills man
VOLUSIA COUNTY
Police: Car runs red light, kills man
A 56-year-old Port Orange motorcyclist was killed Sunday when a car ran a stoplight near
Daytona Beach and drove into his path, the Florida Highway Patrol said. William Lee
Hughes was northbound on Tomoka Farms Road about 3:35p.m. when a 2007 Chevrolet
driven by Lakecia Harris, 31, of DeLand, ran the light as she drove west on International
Speedway Boulevard, troopers said. The BMW motorcycle hit the left front fender of the
Chevrolet, the highway patrol said. Hughes, who was wearing a helmet, was thrown from the
bike. Harris sustained minorinjuries.
Police: Car runs red light, kills man
A 56-year-old Port Orange motorcyclist was killed Sunday when a car ran a stoplight near
Daytona Beach and drove into his path, the Florida Highway Patrol said. William Lee
Hughes was northbound on Tomoka Farms Road about 3:35p.m. when a 2007 Chevrolet
driven by Lakecia Harris, 31, of DeLand, ran the light as she drove west on International
Speedway Boulevard, troopers said. The BMW motorcycle hit the left front fender of the
Chevrolet, the highway patrol said. Hughes, who was wearing a helmet, was thrown from the
bike. Harris sustained minorinjuries.
Susan Jacobson
Orlando Sentinel
Orange County
May 31, 2011
Orlando Sentinel
Orange County
May 31, 2011
Biker, driver are killed in crashes
ORANGE COUNTY
Biker, driver are killed in crashes
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the deaths of a motorcyclist and a driver in separate crashes Tuesday night. The first death occurred shortly before 8:30p.m. when a motorcyclist struck the back of a Ford pickup that pulled out in front of it on Colonial Drive near Grayson Drive, in the Union Park area east of Orlando.
The motorcyclist died at Florida Hospital East, said FHP spokeswoman Sgt. Kim Montes.
The driver was hit by a barbecue that flew off a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction about 10:30 p.m. in the 400 block of DeLeon Avenue, not far from the intersection of John Young Parkway and Old Winter Garden Road.
David Breen
Orlando Sentinel
Orange County
June 1, 2011
Biker, driver are killed in crashes
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the deaths of a motorcyclist and a driver in separate crashes Tuesday night. The first death occurred shortly before 8:30p.m. when a motorcyclist struck the back of a Ford pickup that pulled out in front of it on Colonial Drive near Grayson Drive, in the Union Park area east of Orlando.
The motorcyclist died at Florida Hospital East, said FHP spokeswoman Sgt. Kim Montes.
The driver was hit by a barbecue that flew off a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction about 10:30 p.m. in the 400 block of DeLeon Avenue, not far from the intersection of John Young Parkway and Old Winter Garden Road.
David Breen
Orlando Sentinel
Orange County
June 1, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Witness Needed In Fatal Accident
38-Year-Old Wauchula Man Died Following Foggy Crash
By JOAN SEAMAN
of The Herald-Advocate
A potential witness to a fatal crash on Saturday morning is asked to help the Florida Highway Patrol. According to the FHP report of Tpr. Jesse DeBoom, the incident happened shortly before 8 a.m. at the intersection of U.S. 17 and REA Road in heavy fog. Jimmy Lyn Giles, 38, of Wauchula, was critically injured in the crash and transported to Florida Hospital Wauchula, where he later died from his injuries. Information received by homicide investigator Cpl. Louis M. Smith Jr. indicates there was a small dark, possibly maroon, vehicle traveling east on REA Road behind one of the vehicles in the crash. Another witness used the cell phone of the female driver to call for emergency assistance. The possible witness, or anyone with additional information, is asked to contact Cpl. Smith at 1-800-993-4618, ext, 262, and leave a message. According to the preliminary report, a 1993 Kenilworth tractor-trailer driven by James Edward Smith, 55, of Mauk, Ga., traveling southbound in the inside lane of U.S. 17 was braking and began to jackknife while entering the intersection. Smith’s vehicle collided with the left side of the 1998 Dodge pickup driven by Giles, which had entered the intersection. The tractor-trailer came to rest facing north with its trailer facing west across the southbound lanes of U.S. 17 south of the intersection.
After the impact, the pickup rotated to the west shoulder of U.S. 17, traveled back and through the intersection, through a ditch on the northwest side of the intersection, coming to a final rest facing in a westerly direction on the west side of U.S. 17. Giles became the fifth fatality on Hardee County roads in 2011.
A 2004 Chevrolet Impala in the used car lot the northwest side of the intersection received
about $300 damage from debris from the crash. The pickup had about $5,000 damage and the
tractor-trailer about $15,000. In an unrelated incident of Saturday afternoon, a 48-year-
old Zolfo Springs woman died in an accident on SR 62 just west of the Hardee county line.
According to the report of FHP Tpr. Sean McCormick, Luis Paulin-Hemandez, 51, of
3546 Poplar St., Zolfo Springs, was eastbound on SR 62. Just past Duette Road, he lost control of the vehicle, rotated counterclockwise and left the roadway on the north shoulder.
The 2004 GMC 1500 then entered the ditch and overturned, with the right rear and
roof striking a tree, before it continued in the ditch on its left side. It came to rest facing east
on its left side in the ditch, said the trooper's report.
Isidora Paulin, 48, of the same Zolfo Springs address, died at the scene. The driver received minor injuries. Passenger Mario Paulin, 23, was transported to Bayfront Medical Center with critical injuries. Passenger Jorge Paulin, 21, was taken to Florida Hospital Wauchula with minor injuries. Neither the driver, nor any of the passengers was wearing a seat belt. Charges are pending further investigation.
By JOAN SEAMAN
of The Herald-Advocate
A potential witness to a fatal crash on Saturday morning is asked to help the Florida Highway Patrol. According to the FHP report of Tpr. Jesse DeBoom, the incident happened shortly before 8 a.m. at the intersection of U.S. 17 and REA Road in heavy fog. Jimmy Lyn Giles, 38, of Wauchula, was critically injured in the crash and transported to Florida Hospital Wauchula, where he later died from his injuries. Information received by homicide investigator Cpl. Louis M. Smith Jr. indicates there was a small dark, possibly maroon, vehicle traveling east on REA Road behind one of the vehicles in the crash. Another witness used the cell phone of the female driver to call for emergency assistance. The possible witness, or anyone with additional information, is asked to contact Cpl. Smith at 1-800-993-4618, ext, 262, and leave a message. According to the preliminary report, a 1993 Kenilworth tractor-trailer driven by James Edward Smith, 55, of Mauk, Ga., traveling southbound in the inside lane of U.S. 17 was braking and began to jackknife while entering the intersection. Smith’s vehicle collided with the left side of the 1998 Dodge pickup driven by Giles, which had entered the intersection. The tractor-trailer came to rest facing north with its trailer facing west across the southbound lanes of U.S. 17 south of the intersection.
After the impact, the pickup rotated to the west shoulder of U.S. 17, traveled back and through the intersection, through a ditch on the northwest side of the intersection, coming to a final rest facing in a westerly direction on the west side of U.S. 17. Giles became the fifth fatality on Hardee County roads in 2011.
A 2004 Chevrolet Impala in the used car lot the northwest side of the intersection received
about $300 damage from debris from the crash. The pickup had about $5,000 damage and the
tractor-trailer about $15,000. In an unrelated incident of Saturday afternoon, a 48-year-
old Zolfo Springs woman died in an accident on SR 62 just west of the Hardee county line.
According to the report of FHP Tpr. Sean McCormick, Luis Paulin-Hemandez, 51, of
3546 Poplar St., Zolfo Springs, was eastbound on SR 62. Just past Duette Road, he lost control of the vehicle, rotated counterclockwise and left the roadway on the north shoulder.
The 2004 GMC 1500 then entered the ditch and overturned, with the right rear and
roof striking a tree, before it continued in the ditch on its left side. It came to rest facing east
on its left side in the ditch, said the trooper's report.
Isidora Paulin, 48, of the same Zolfo Springs address, died at the scene. The driver received minor injuries. Passenger Mario Paulin, 23, was transported to Bayfront Medical Center with critical injuries. Passenger Jorge Paulin, 21, was taken to Florida Hospital Wauchula with minor injuries. Neither the driver, nor any of the passengers was wearing a seat belt. Charges are pending further investigation.
Grandmother killed in crash at intersection
PEMBROKE PINES
A driver may have run a red light in a crash Monday afternoon in Pembroke Pines that left a grandmother dead, police said. Neyda Hernandez, 51, of Pembroke Pines, was trying to make a left turn on to Pines Boulevard from Northwest 208th Avenue when her car collided with another vehicle at the intersection, police said. Hernandez was taken to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, where she died, police said.
The crash happened about 5:30 p.m. Hernandez had her granddaughter in the backseat, but the child was not seriously injured, police said. Police indentified the driver of the other vehicle involved, a 2003 Hyundai Elantra, as Jay Lapidus, 47, of Pembroke Pines.
Witnesses said Lapidus, who suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries, was speeding and ran the red light at the intersection, police said. Lapidus has not been charged.
-Sofia Santana
Sun Sentinel
Broward County
May 25,2011
A driver may have run a red light in a crash Monday afternoon in Pembroke Pines that left a grandmother dead, police said. Neyda Hernandez, 51, of Pembroke Pines, was trying to make a left turn on to Pines Boulevard from Northwest 208th Avenue when her car collided with another vehicle at the intersection, police said. Hernandez was taken to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, where she died, police said.
The crash happened about 5:30 p.m. Hernandez had her granddaughter in the backseat, but the child was not seriously injured, police said. Police indentified the driver of the other vehicle involved, a 2003 Hyundai Elantra, as Jay Lapidus, 47, of Pembroke Pines.
Witnesses said Lapidus, who suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries, was speeding and ran the red light at the intersection, police said. Lapidus has not been charged.
-Sofia Santana
Sun Sentinel
Broward County
May 25,2011
Softball coach gets four years in prison in fatal wreck
Man who was intoxicated says he’s ‘truly sorry’
BY TOM BRENNAN
The Tampa Tribune
Tampa- The coach had belted down a half-dozen beers and a couple of tequila shots at the holiday dessert social for his girls softball team. Team parents became so concerned they decided to snatch his keys, but Paul Michael Parks had sneaked out behind the wheel of his GMC pickup. About a mile away, Parks rammed head-on into a Jeep driven by Karen Weaver, who was heading home from a yuletide party on Big Bend Road. Parks never noticed the road had gone from four lanes to two and that he was driving into oncoming traffic. Weaver, 47, of Riverview, was killed. Parks, 37, pleaded guilty Thursday to driving under the influence-manslaughter in the wreck, which happened about 11:30 p.m. Dec. 19, 2009. Tests showed his blood alcohol content was 0.218, deputies said. Florida law presumes intoxication at 0.08. Hillsborough Circuit Judge Manuel A. Lopez sentenced Parks to four years in prison followed by 10 years of probation. It was the minimum punishment he could impose. Parks’ guilty plea came without any deal with prosecutors. Although sentencing guidelines called for at least 10 years in prison, Lopez said he was impressed by the parade of witnesses who spoke on Parks’ behalf, including his wife, friends, ministers and former co-workers and boss. “It was out of character for him,” the judge said. “He has shown tremendous remorse. I think he learned a great deal from this.” Parks, who had been free on $25,000 bail since turning himself in to authorities in January 2010, also spoke before being sentenced. “I am truly sorry for what happened,” he said. “I awake every day with a hole in my soul.” Parks denied having a drinking problem, although he said he swore off alcohol after the crash and has attended Alcoholic Anonymous meetings twice weekly. He said the meetings made him feel better because other people were worse off, not having the support he has received. None of Weaver’s family spoke at the sentencing. Prosecutors said Weaver’s brother, Charles Grant, was caring for his ill mother. A victim’s advocate read a letter from Grant, who asked Lopez not to give Parks any breaks. “He snuck out of that party,” Grant wrote, “he knew what he was doing.”
tbrennan@tampatrib.com
(813) 259-7698
BY TOM BRENNAN
The Tampa Tribune
Tampa- The coach had belted down a half-dozen beers and a couple of tequila shots at the holiday dessert social for his girls softball team. Team parents became so concerned they decided to snatch his keys, but Paul Michael Parks had sneaked out behind the wheel of his GMC pickup. About a mile away, Parks rammed head-on into a Jeep driven by Karen Weaver, who was heading home from a yuletide party on Big Bend Road. Parks never noticed the road had gone from four lanes to two and that he was driving into oncoming traffic. Weaver, 47, of Riverview, was killed. Parks, 37, pleaded guilty Thursday to driving under the influence-manslaughter in the wreck, which happened about 11:30 p.m. Dec. 19, 2009. Tests showed his blood alcohol content was 0.218, deputies said. Florida law presumes intoxication at 0.08. Hillsborough Circuit Judge Manuel A. Lopez sentenced Parks to four years in prison followed by 10 years of probation. It was the minimum punishment he could impose. Parks’ guilty plea came without any deal with prosecutors. Although sentencing guidelines called for at least 10 years in prison, Lopez said he was impressed by the parade of witnesses who spoke on Parks’ behalf, including his wife, friends, ministers and former co-workers and boss. “It was out of character for him,” the judge said. “He has shown tremendous remorse. I think he learned a great deal from this.” Parks, who had been free on $25,000 bail since turning himself in to authorities in January 2010, also spoke before being sentenced. “I am truly sorry for what happened,” he said. “I awake every day with a hole in my soul.” Parks denied having a drinking problem, although he said he swore off alcohol after the crash and has attended Alcoholic Anonymous meetings twice weekly. He said the meetings made him feel better because other people were worse off, not having the support he has received. None of Weaver’s family spoke at the sentencing. Prosecutors said Weaver’s brother, Charles Grant, was caring for his ill mother. A victim’s advocate read a letter from Grant, who asked Lopez not to give Parks any breaks. “He snuck out of that party,” Grant wrote, “he knew what he was doing.”
tbrennan@tampatrib.com
(813) 259-7698
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