Friday, March 4, 2011

"Motorcycle, pickup strike different building along Jefferson Street"

BROOKSVILLE - Jessica Varner said she keeps the blinds down in her office because she got tired of seeing all the accidents taking place along West Jefferson Street.

The one that occurred Wednesday afternoon was only a few steps away from her desk, she said.

Shortly before 4 p.m., a white Dodge pickup truck smashed against the front portion of the office building at 303 W. Jefferson St., according to the Brooksville Police Department.

Varner, an administrative assistant at Combs Services Inc., said she heard a collision outside. As soon as she backed away from her desk, she heard a louder boom and felt the building shake.

"Everybody's OK," she said over the phone a half-hour after the crash. "There are some bumps and bruises."

Moments later, Stephen L. Miller, 55, of New Port Richey, crashed his motorcycle into a tire shop building at 1360 E. Jefferson St., said Brooksville Police Chief George Turner.

Miller was airlifted to a Tampa-area hospital.

"His injuries are very serious," Turner said.

Turner said a wrecker was called to the scene at Combs Service and a building inspector also would be summoned to review the damage.

The driver of the Dodge, who did not want to be identified, said she swerved off the road to avoid hitting a passing Mitsubishi SUV.

Police officers stayed for only a few minutes at the first accident before heading toward the other side of town to respond to the motorcycle wreck, Turner said.

Combs Service is an appliance repair shop located near the corner of South Bailey Avenue.

Varner said the truck didn't penetrate the wall, but "knocked it loose."


For more information please visit: http://www2.hernandotoday.com/content/2011/mar/02/021905/motorcycle-pickup-strike-different-buildings-along/

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