Man arrested, woman hospitalized after rollover crash

A rollover crash in Floral City put a woman in the hospital and a man behind bars on DUI charges.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Steven M. Dickson, 62, was driving east on County Road 48 near Istachatta Road shortly before 10:30 p.m. Thursday when an animal darted into the road.

Troopers said Dickson swerved to miss the animal and drove onto the south shoulder, where his Chevrolet SSR to overturned.

Both Dickson and his passenger, Deborah A. Dickson, 62, were thrown from the vehicle.

Deborah Dickson was taken by air to Tampa General Hospital with serious injuries.

Steven Dickson was arrested after troopers said he smelled of alcohol and had bloodshot eyes. His breath test registered at 0.155, which is nearly twice the legal limit, investigators said.

Dickson was taken to Citrus County Jail on charges of driving under the influence with serious injury.

for more information please visit: http://www.baynews9.com/article/news/2011/may/244504/Man-arrested-woman-hospitalized-after-rollover-crash

Driver sought in fatal pedestrian accident

Tampa Police are investigating a hit-and-run in which a driver killed a pedestrian in Tampa.

According to the report, Aaron Cordes was pushing a shopping cart across 50th Street on Broadway in the crosswalk against the traffic light when the driver of an SUV, who had a green light, hit Cordes.

Investigators say the driver continued northbound on 50th Street without stopping to help Cordes.

Several witnesses stopped to help Cordes before Tampa Police and Fire Rescue responded.

Cordes was rushed to the hospital, where he later died several hours later.

The suspect vehicle is described as a 1993-94 black or dark-colored Ford Explorer with chrome trim. The vehicle should have right front-end damage, which may consist of blue paint from the shopping cart Cordes was pushing. The right front turn signal lens cover will also be damaged.

The Tampa Police Department is actively working this case and asking anyone to call (813-231-6130) if they see this vehicle or if they have any additional information about this fatality.

for more information please visit: http://www.baynews9.com/article/news/2011/may/245042/Driver-sought-in-fatal-pedestrian-accident

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

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/

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

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

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/

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.

Tractor trailer crash causes traffic delays on Turnpike

Fire rescue workers have cleaned up a fuel spill as a result of a crash involving three tractor-trailers and one car this morning in the southbound lanes of Florida's Turnpike near PGA Boulevard. Lanes in both directions are now open after being closed for hours, according to Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue officials. It's the second time in a week that area of the turnpike has been shut down due to a major accident early in the morning. Last week, a tractor trailor was hit by a dump truck and caught on fire, leaving one the drivers with third-degree burns and shutting down the turnpike in either direction well into the afternoon rush hour. Today, around 5:30 a.m., a fuel tank broke off one of the tractor-trailer trucks during the collision spilling about 50 gallons of fuel onto both northbound and southbound lanes of the turnpike. However the spill in the northbound lanes was contained to the shoulder. Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Tim Frith said a series of events unfolded when a truck pulled over on the right southbound shoulder entered the right travel lane in the path of an oncoming UPS truck. The collision broke free a fuel tank on the UPS truck, which then sat in the southbound lanes. Moments later, a red Honda Civic hit the tank and sent it flying into the northbound lanes. A third truck, traveling northbound, tried to avoid the tank and jackknifed. Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue Chief Keith Bryer said that although one of the trucks had a "corrosive" placard, it doesn't seem to have spilled onto the roadway. The driver of one of the trucks had to be extricated, as the Trauma Hawk chopper rescue team remained on stand by, but the driver was ultimately transported via ground, Bryer said. One driver was taken to St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach and the other to Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center. There was no immediate information available on their conditions. for more information please visit: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/03/30/2141183/tractor-trailer-crash-causes-traffic.html

Heavy rains may have been factor in fatal Pompano wreck

Investigators said Tuesday that weather may have been a factor in a fatal accident where a Fort Lauderdale woman lost control of her car and crashed into an oncoming delivery truck. Carol Lashan Brooks, 21, a dancer at a Pompano Beach gentlemen's club, was coming home from work about 7 p.m. Monday, when heavy thunderstorms were sweeping through the region. Brooks lived in a small house in Fort Lauderdale, where she was a matriarchal presence to her younger brother, Luke, and his family. "She was the light of our family," said Luke, who has a 1-year-old daughter. "She had some personal problems, but she never wanted anyone to think that she was sad or depressed." Brooks recently urged her brother to enroll in a course to obtain his private security license. Broward Sheriff's Office officials say Brooks was heading south on North Powerline Road when her car jumped over a concrete median and into oncoming traffic. for more information please visit: http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2011-03-29/news/fl-fatal-pompano-crash-20110329_1_rains-fatal-accident-wreck

Five injured when SUV rolls over on I-4, FHP says

PLANT CITY -- Five people were injured in a rollover accident in the westbound lanes of I-4 Tuesday after a tire blew out. According to reports, a 2004 Ford SUV rolled over near Branch Forbes Road in Plant City. Five people were injured, including a passenger who was ejected from the SUV, the Florida Highway Patrol said. FHP said the passenger, 65-year-old Hortensia Urso, was not wearing a seatbelt. He was transported to Lakeland Regional Hospital with serious injuries. The driver and three other passengers received minor injuries. Two westbound inside lanes were closed while rescue crews dealt with the accident. for more infomation please visit: http://www.baynews9.com/article/news/2011/march/224860/Five-injured-when-SUV-rolls-over-on-I4-FHP-says

St. Petersburg police officer, driver seriously hurt in traffic crash

ST. PETERSBURG -- A St. Petersburg police officer and another driver were seriously injured in a traffic crash Monday. The crash happened at the intersection of 22nd Avenue North and 22nd Street N. in St. Petersburg just after 1:30 p.m. Monday. According to police, Officer Meri Andrews was traveling westbound on 22nd Avenue North while Marguerite Clare, 90, was driving a Lexus SUV eastbound on the same road. Clare made a northbound turn onto 22nd Street, and in the process, crossed into the path of the officer's car, police said. The front end of the officer's cruiser crashed into the right side of the Lexus SUV, police said. The cruiser spun and stopped in the curb lane just west of 22nd Street N, while the Lexus crashed into a chain link fence and several granite slabs at Depot Granite, which is located at the northwest corner of the intersection, police said. Both Clare and Andrews were taken to Bayfront Medical Center in serious condition for more information please visit: http://www.baynews9.com/article/news/2011/march/224297/St-Petersburg-police-officer-driver-seriously-hurt-in-traffic-crash

Woman seriously injured after being hit by car in St. Petersburg

ST. PETERSBURG -- A woman was struck by a vehicle Wednesday morning in St. Petersburg. According to the st. Petersburg Police Department, the woman was hit at 19th Avenue South and Dr. M.L. King, Jr. Street just after 6:30 a.m. gray KIA four-door sedan. The pedestrian was taken Bayfront Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. The driver of the KIA was uninjured. The investigation is ongoing and officials said more details would be made available later in the day. for more information please visit: http://www.baynews9.com/article/news/2011/march/225168/Woman-seriously-injured-after-being-hit-by-car-in-St.-Petersburg

"Man dies in Titusville motorcycle crash"

A Brevard County man died early this morning after losing control of his motorcycle and crashing into a concrete wall, Titusville police said. Salvatore Joseph Cruz, 21, of Mims, was riding a 1998 Honda motorcycle west on Harrison Street just after 2 a.m. when he struck the wall. He was taken to Parrish Medical Center, where doctors pronounced him dead. Witnesses told traffic homicide investigators that Cruz may have been driving at a high rate of speed before the crash, according to police. for more information please visit: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-03-26/news/os-titusville-fatal-motorcycle-crash-20110326_1_titusville-police-concrete-wall-crash

"2 die in separate West Side wrecks"

Two people died in separate West Side accidents this week involving tractor-trailer rigs.An accident involving a pickup truck and a tractor-trailer in Bryceville claimed a Callahan man's life and critically injured a teen Sunday.R.J. Faulk, 20, died at the scene while Josh Vaden, 18, Callahan, is currently in critical condition at Shands Jacksonville Medical Center. Faulk graduated from West Nassau High School last year and was attending Florida State College at Jacksonville. Vaden is a senior at WNHS.The 2000 GMC pickup driven by Vaden, with Faulk as a passenger, was traveling north on CR 121 when it approached a tractor-trailer backing across the road and into a private driveway near DB Hicks Road. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Vaden failed to observe the tractor-trailer before colliding with the left side of the tractor. The pickup reportedly traveled partly under the tractor-trailer before both vehicles came to a rest on the roadway.Neither Vaden nor Faulk was wearing a seatbelt, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The tractor-trailer driver was not injured. Terri Lee Driver, 26, of St. George, Ga., died Monday after an accident about 6:43 a.m. at CR 121 and North Stokes Road. Driver's southbound Ford pickup truck reportedly drifted into the path of a northbound tractor-trailer. Driver was ejected from the vehicle and was not wearing a seat belt, police said. for more information please visit: http://www.fbnewsleader.com/articles/2011/03/26/news/00newstwodieinwrecks.txt