Authorities say a woman was killed as she pulled out of the Cypress Point Shopping Center. No charges were filed.
By CHRIS TISCH
Published February 19, 2004
CLEARWATER - A woman was killed and four other people were injured in a two-car crash on Enterprise Road on Wednesday afternoon.
The crash occurred about 1:30 p.m. just east of U.S. 19. The woman was driving a 2001 Toyota Corolla out of a northeast exit of the Cypress Point Shopping Center when her car was struck by a 2001 BMW 740-IL heading east on Enterprise Road.
Police said they think the woman was trying to make a left turn onto Enterprise Road when she was struck broadside on the driver's side. The woman, whom police did not identify Wednesday, died at the scene.
Three other women in the car with her were taken to local hospitals. Two were taken to Bayfront Medical Center; one by helicopter and the other by ambulance. The third woman was taken by ambulance to Morton Plant Hospital.
Their names and conditions were not available Wednesday.
After the impact, the BMW veered to the left, vaulted a sidewalk and narrowly threaded between two trees before slamming into the bank of a ditch. The driver, whom police also did not identify Wednesday, was taken by helicopter to Bayfront.
The BMW buried part of its front in the bank. It came to rest less than 20 feet from the kitchen of John Dunbar, who heard the crash. He came out and saw the BMW driver get out of his car and lie on the ground.
The man asked one of Dunbar's neighbors: "Why did they pull out?"
"He was in shock," Dunbar said. "He talked at first, and after that he didn't say anything."
Police closed a portion of Enterprise Road as they investigated the crash and tried to determine who was at fault. No charges were filed Wednesday.
Florence Barresi said she and her daughter were walking on the sidewalk when they heard the BMW whiz by. Though neither looked at the car, they said it sounded like it was going fast. Seconds later, they heard the impact.
They went up to the Corolla and heard the driver gasp, "Help me." Bystanders called 911 on cell phones.
Barresi and her daughter said traffic is heavy in the area and it's not uncommon for people to pull in front of oncoming cars as they leave the shopping center. They think a traffic light there would solve some of those problems.
Barresi said she and her daughter had just walked past the spot where the BMW crossed the sidewalk.
