PLANT CITY - A Plant City man died Saturday night after being thrown from his motorcycle, officials said.
Nicholas G. Garufi, 29, of 802 Turtle River Court, died at the scene of the accident, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Jennifer Ashley, 21, a passenger on the motorcycle, was also thrown from the motorcycle. She was listed in serious condition Sunday morning at Tampa General Hospital.
About 9 p.m. Saturday, Garufi was westbound on State Road 60, driving a 2003 Yamaha in the right lane, troopers said. About the same time, a 1997 Ford pickup driven by Louis J. Dalsanto, 18, of 5520 Connel Road, Plant City, was heading west on State Road 60 in the left lane.
Troopers said Dalsanto was attempting to change lanes as Garufi approached from behind on his motorcycle "at a high rate of speed."
Dalsanto switched lanes, cutting off Garufi, and Garufi tried to stop, troopers said. Garufi's motorcycle hit the back of Dalsanto's vehicle, sending Garufi and Ashley flying off, said troopers.
Neither Dalsanto nor his passenger, Heather Lynn Shermory, 19, received injuries.
Owner opens store after intruders steal items
TAMPA - When Jorge Ruiz opened his store at E Busch Boulevard about 9:30 a.m. Sunday, he was confronted by two intruders wearing black clothing and ski masks.
In Spanish, they told him not to move. They then fired several rounds from a handgun before running out the door with some phone cards, cash and jewelry.
Ruiz, who was not hit, tried to fire back, but his gun jammed. The suspects had not been found as of Sunday afternoon.
By 1 p.m., Ruiz, 31, was open for business.
"My husband is one who does what he can for the people," said Melissia Ruiz, 30. "You can't let them get the best of you. You have to keep going. We have three kids we have to support."
The couple sells food and clothes and provides immigration assistance and other services to the Hispanic community, Melissia Ruiz said.
The robbers got into the store by punching a hole through the roof of the building.
"It's a very thin roof," Melissia Ruiz said. "Our landlord is working to fix that."
She said she's thankful that her husband didn't get hurt and that his gun wouldn't fire.
"It would be hard for him to live with himself if he had shot somebody," she said.
