Police say she was getting conflicting advice on how to cross Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard when struck.
By CHRIS TISCH
Published March 24, 2004
CLEARWATER - A 6-year-old girl hit by a car on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard on Monday night was listed in guarded condition Tuesday at All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg.
Damoniesha White of 2958 Sandalwood Drive was crossing the 1400 block of Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard about 7:20 p.m. when she was hit by an eastbound Lexus driven by Rodney Perry of Charlotte, N.C.
Police said Damoniesha was crossing the street with family members to catch a PSTA bus when she became confused about whether to continue crossing or to return to the other side.
"Some people were telling her to run one way, run the other way," said police spokesman Wayne Shelor.
Police said a group of people in the area started a melee after Perry stopped his car. He was assaulted, but not seriously injured. Police are investigating the fight, but no arrests were reported Tuesday.
Police have said they don't expect criminal charges to be filed in connection with the accident, though the investigation is still in progress. Police also plan to investigate the circumstances that led to the child's being in the middle of a dark road by herself.
Damoniesha was taken by helicopter to the hospital after the crash. Her guarded condition means her status has stabilized but is still unpredictable. The roadway where the accident occurred was closed for about three hours.
