Two-car accident seriously injures baby boy

The baby's mother was holding him on her lap when the van they were riding in was struck, police say.

By Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published December 30, 2002

ST. PETERSBURG -- A 4-month-old baby was seriously injured early Sunday in a two-car collision at First Avenue N and 34th Street N.

The infant, Zackary Ryan Sampley, was being held on his mother's lap in the front passenger seat of a 1993 Nissan van when the vehicle was struck by a 2002 Ford Explorer, police said.

Zackary was thrown from the vehicle and landed in the middle of the intersection.

Police said the driver of the Explorer, Matthew Coates, 21, of Tarpon Springs, was westbound on First Avenue about 4:35 a.m. when he collided with the van, driven by Daniel Sampley, 36, of Jacksonville. The van was traveling north on 34th Street.

Zackary was taken to Bayfront Medical Center and later moved to All Children's Hospital. He was listed in critical condition Sunday. There were no other serious injuries.

Both drivers said they had a green light, police said. Under state law, children younger than 4 are supposed to ride in a car seat.

No charges were filed Sunday. The accident is under investigation.

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