"One dead after motorcyclists collide on U.S. 19"

TARPON SPRINGS — If you ask anyone in the local cadre of motorcyclists in New Port Richey, they'd tell you James Perrini was one of their brothers.
"He'd take the shirt off his back if you needed it," said friend and colleague Andrew Mackay.
Perrini, owner of Chickies Pub and a member of the Suncoast Brotherhood Biker Rights Group, was killed in a motorcycle accident in Tarpon Springs late Tuesday night.
According to friends, the 68-year-old motorcyclist was returning from a friend's birthday celebration at Stix Billiards in Palm Harbor with three other motorcyclists, who also were injured in the crash.
Perrini was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
Police are not releasing the names of the injured due to an ongoing investigation. Authorities suspect that the accident may be alcohol-related.
A 38-year-old man and 41-year-old woman, riding a 2004 Harley-Davidson, were critically injured and taken by helicopter to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg.
On Wednesday afternoon the man was in critical condition and the woman in serious condition.
An unidentified 50-year-old man from Dunedin, also riding a 2004 Harley-Davidson, suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene.
Police said the crash happened about 11:17 p.m. Tuesday in the northbound lanes of U.S. 19 near Tookes Road in Tarpon Springs. Perrini struck the rear of the motorcycle operated by the man from Dunedin. The crash then caused the operator of the third motorcycle to lose control and both occupants were thrown off the bike.
None of the motorcyclists were wearing helmets.
Megan Walling, a bartender at Chickies who has known Perrini for seven years, said that besides his dedication to the biker community, he loved to help children.
Mackay echoed her thoughts.
"Toy runs, benefits, you name it," he said. "Every week."
Perrini would often host charity events at Chickies. Most recently, he hosted a fundraiser for Horse Connections, a therapeutic horsemanship program for people with disabilities.
Mackay said the mood at the bar was somber Wednesday.
"He's one missed man," he said.


for more information please visit: http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/accidents/one-dead-after-motorcyclists-collide-on-us-19/1157636

"New Port Richey cracking down on jaywalkers"

In New Port Richey, officials are dedicating extra patrols to catching jaywalkers.

As a result, someone who plans to cross U.S. 19 without using a crosswalk could very well get a ticket for jaywalking.

In January alone, more than 30 citations were given to jaywalkers. Anyone who gets a ticket for jaywalking has to pay $62.

The sight of a pedestrian crossing U.S. 19 outside of a crosswalk is a common sight, and the same thing is true throughout downtown New Port Richey. Individuals and even entire families jaywalk to get across Main Street faster.

In recent years, the city has gained the reputation of being one of the most dangerous cities for both pedestrians and cyclists. Siince 2008, the number of pedestrian fatalities has doubled.

The police department is making jaywalking its focus after receiving a grant that allows current patrol officers more time in the field to hand out tickets.

Ofc. Joe Pascalli said the goal of the stepped-up patrols is simple: to keep people safe.

"We don't want anybody getting hurt, we don't want pedestrians getting hurt, we don't want other motorists getting hurt," he said. "People need to be aware of the law, that they need to cross at a crosswalk."

Pascalli said one of the worst spots in New Port Richey for jaywalking is U.S. 19 and Green Key Road, which is where several restaurants and a motel are located.

The New Port Richey Police Department hopes they can keep the program going through the rest of the year.

For more information please visit: http://www.baynews9.com/article/news/2011/march/215615/New-Port-Richey-cracking-down-on-jaywalkers

"Pasco man dies after motorcycle crash in Brooksville"

A 57-year-old New Port Richey man died Thursday after suffering injuries in a motorcycle crash near downtown Brooksville on Wednesday afternoon, police said.

Steven L. Millard was traveling west on E Jefferson Street near Asmara Street at about 4 p.m. when he lost control trying to negotiate a turn, according to the Brooksville Police Department. Millard left the roadway, struck a street sign and was thrown from the motorcycle.

He was flown to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa with serious injuries. The cause of death was listed as blunt force trauma, police said.

An investigation continued Thursday afternoon.

For more information please visit: http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/accidents/pasco-man-dies-after-motorcycle-crash-in-brooksville/1155080