Teen still critical after leap from car

A River Ridge High School senior who was seriously injured Friday night when he jumped off the trunk of a friend's moving car was fighting for his life Monday at a St. Petersburg hospital.

Nicholas Kay, 18, remained in critical condition late Monday at Bayfront Medical Center, hospital officials said. Critical condition means a patient's vital signs are unstable and not within normal limits.

The accident happened as Kay was visiting with friends in the Park Lake Estates subdivision of New Port Richey on Friday night. About 7:30 p.m., 18-year-old Joseph Dellutro got into his car and started driving down Swallowtail Drive. Kay and another friend, Justus Soanes, jumped onto the trunk of Dellutro's moving car, according to Florida Highway Patrol investigators.

Dellutro was driving about 25 mph when Kay jumped off and hit his head, an FHP report said. Dellutro called 911 on his cell phone, and Kay was airlifted to Bayfront Medical Center.

Kay's parents kept vigil at the teen's bedside Monday and could not be reached for comment.

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