Man dies of injuries in 4-wheeler wreck

LAND O'LAKES -- A 51-year-old Kansas man died over the weekend after wrecking his son's four-wheeler just off State Road 54 near the Oak Grove subdivision.

Clifford Appleton, a disabled Vietnam veteran, had come to stay with his son and daughter-in-law for the winter. He was driving the 1999 Polaris four-wheeler to a nearby convenience store Thursday morning when a front wheel of the vehicle hit a fire hydrant.

Appleton was flown to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, where he underwent emergency surgery. He died Saturday from his injuries.

Members of Appleton's family were angry with authorities because the relatives did not find out his whereabouts until Thursday evening, more than nine hours after the crash.

Florida Highway Patrol trooper Michael Jarabek said he found only a Kansas identification on Appleton. He said he also tried finding the four-wheeler's owner and even used his home computer to run Appleton's name but had no luck.

"I really would have liked to have notified (the family) in person," Jarabek said. "If (they) would have called *FHP, they would have known about it right away."

Instead, Appleton's daughter-in-law, Michelle Appleton, said she thought to call the Sheriff's Office. The office had no information about her father-in-law's whereabouts, which still irks her.

"Notification of the family is the responsibility of (the FHP) and the hospital," said sheriff's spokesman Jon Powers.

Family members learned about Appleton's accident only after they had reported him missing. A deputy who came to the house checked and learned there had been an accident nearby earlier in the day. He then called the hospital, which confirmed Appleton was the victim.

"We were devastated," Michelle Appleton said. "I'm very concerned about the noncommunication (between agencies). We couldn't have helped (Appleton), but we could have been there with him."

Michelle Appleton said the family will remember a "compassionate" man who loved to spend time with his two grandchildren.

"He would do anything for you," she said. "He loved life. He was happy. We loved him very much."

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