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Letter to the editor

Siblings' horseplay with car leads to girl's death

The 16-year-old fell off the trunk of a car driven by her brother; she died of her injuries Saturday.

By CHRIS TISCH
Published July 20, 2004

	Shannon Smith, 16, and her brother, Anthony Smith, 17, were close, family members said. No charges have been filed in the fatal accident, but an investigation is still in progress.

CLEARWATER - Just a year apart in age, Anthony and Shannon Smith were close.

Shannon was a cheerleader in Anthony's youth football league. Anthony watched over and protected his sister. They shared many of the same friends.

One night last week, Shannon, 16, sat on the trunk of a Pontiac Firebird her 17-year-old brother was driving.

According to police, they were horseplaying on St. Charles Drive, where they live with their mother. Police said Anthony was stutter-starting the car. Shannon fell off and hit her head on the pavement.

She was taken by helicopter to Bayfront Medical Center, where her condition worsened.

Four days after the accident, Shannon died.

No charges have been filed in the incident, which Clearwater police continue to investigate.

The loss of the girl with an incessant smile and a patient ear has devastated her family and friends, particularly her brother.

"It is very tough," said Shannon's uncle, Chris Sassouni. "To be honest, I can't even imagine putting myself in his shoes right now. It's very tough."

Sassouni, who lives a few houses down from the Smith home, said Anthony Smith and his mother, Nancy, weren't ready to speak publicly Monday about Shannon's death. He said they asked him to serve as a family spokesman.

Shannon's father, Jack Smith, also lost his life in an auto accident four years ago in Pennsylvania, Sassouni said.

Shannon moved to Clearwater with her mother and brother in 1997. Warm and outgoing, Shannon quickly developed a circle of friends who remained close with her until she died.

Shannon's gift was her ability to listen, her uncle said. She spent hours on the phone listening to friends talk about their problems. She helped them sort things out.

In fact, Shannon wanted to be a psychiatrist.

"She had a knack for listening and understanding," her uncle said. "She could put herself in another person's shoes and understand their point of view. That's why people would open up to her."

She attended Plumb Elementary School, where her photogenic features landed her an anchor role on the school's television crew. She also had modeled for magazines and commercials in Pennsylvania.

For four years, she was a cheerleader for the Clearwater for Youth group, for which her brother played football.

At Clearwater High School, Shannon landed on the honor roll and the Dean's List.

"She strove to excel academically," said her uncle. "She wanted to be an excellent student."

After the accident Tuesday night, friends and family members gathered at the hospital to watch over her. Only two people were allowed in her room at a time, so family members took turns going in to see her, Sassouni said.

Outside the waiting room, her friends formed a prayer circle on the floor.

With family members by her side, Shannon died about 10:30 p.m. Saturday. Sassouni said although Shannon's injuries were serious, the family was not expecting she would die.

Sassouni said many family members and friends are supporting the immediate family.

"I think we're all completely devastated, but we're lucky to have an incredible support network though all of this," he said.

That network also will be supporting her brother.

"They were extremely close," Sassouni said. "He was kind of the big brother that protected her."

- Chris Tisch can be reached at 445-4156 or Tisch@sptimes.com

[Last modified July 19, 2004, 23:48:20]