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Crashes kill two despite patrols
By JAMES THORNER, Times Staff Writer
A "wolf pack" scouring Pasco County roads on New Year's Eve bagged about 50 drunken drivers, speeders and seat belt scofflaws, but officers' diligence couldn't save two drivers killed in separate accidents. Thomas Zarakas, 38, died when his Harley-Davidson motorcycle swerved into oncoming traffic on Seven Springs Boulevard at 7:43 p.m. Tuesday. The accident occurred just south of Hideaway Trail as a drenching thunderstorm passed over the county. Zarakas, from East Meadow, N.Y., had been driving south on the boulevard and crashed into a Lexus driven by Paul Virgadamp, 49. Eight hours later, Anthony Steven Dematos, 21, of 5353 Millstone Drive in New Port Richey was killed when he was thrown from his 1999 Chevrolet pickup on Rowan Road. At 3:15 a.m., Dematos failed to handle a curve about 900 feet north of Massachusetts Avenue, the Florida Highway Patrol said. His truck struck a curb and rolled onto the shoulder. A graduate of River Ridge High School, Dematos hadn't been wearing a seat belt. Officers couldn't confirm if alcohol played a role in the crash. Traffic accidents could have been worse had it not been for the 50 sheriff's deputies, police officers and state troopers on the roads New Year's Eve. After arresting only six people for drunken driving last year at this time, the wolf pack picked up 13 suspected drunken drivers Tuesday and early Wednesday, most in west Pasco. Additionally, 51 drivers were cited for speeding and other traffic violations, including failure to wear seat belts. Warnings were issued to another 118 people. -- James Thorner can be reached at (813) 909-4613 or toll-free 1-800-333-7505, ext. 4613. His e-mail address is thorner@sptimes.com.
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