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Coast Guardsman dies in traffic accident
By ABBIE VANSICKLE LARGO -- Growing up on the Jersey Shore, Scott Cummings could surf from the time he could walk. He was like a fish, his father says. When it was time to choose a career, it came down to the Navy or the Coast Guard. Cummings finally settled on the Coast Guard because he thought he could save more lives. But Cummings career was cut short late Sunday, when he was killed in a traffic accident. Stationed at the Sand Key Coast Guard station for about a year, Seaman Cummings was just beginning to feel at home in Florida. Working with a close-knit team at the station, the 21-year-old called to tell his family how much he loved his job. "He was very outgoing and charming," said his father, John Cummings. "Everybody around here took a special liking to Scott." His parents and siblings, who live in the sprawling suburban town of Toms River, N.J., were looking forward to seeing Cummings when he came home for the holidays on Dec. 27. His father was so excited that he started remodeling the house to surprise his son. But a phone call early Monday ended their hopes. According to Largo police, Cummings was riding in a gray Daewoo driven by U.S. Coast Guard Seaman Apprentice Jason Fratesi, 24. The Daewoo was traveling south on Seminole Boulevard in Largo. Turning left at 16th Avenue SE and Seminole Boulevard, the car failed to yield to a northbound red pickup truck. The pickup truck struck the Daewoo on the passenger side, police said. Fratesi was transported by helicopter to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg. He was listed in fair condition Monday afternoon. Cummings was pronounced dead at the scene at 11:31 p.m. The driver of the truck, Cory M. O'Hanlan, 21, was not injured. His passenger, Dominic Kindberg, 22, was taken to Largo Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. The northbound lanes of Seminole Boulevard were closed for several hours after the collision. Police said the traffic homicide investigation is continuing. Cummings was an excellent seaman and a team player, said Executive Petty Officer Ray Holcombe, Cummings' commanding officer at Sand Key. "Most everything he did, he had humor in mind. He would do anything for anyone and was very giving with his time," Holcombe said. "He was somebody you could always count on," he added. "He was the guy you always wanted to have on your crew." -- Staff writer Chris Tisch contributed to this report. Abbie VanSickle can be reached at 445-4224 or at vansickle@sptimes.com .
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