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Biker, van driver killed in wreck

The Florida High Patrol says the drivers of the two vehicles shared responsibility for the crash on Ulmerton Road.

By JACOB H. FRIES
Published October 7, 2005

LARGO - A motorcyclist and a woman driving a van died Wednesday night when they collided on Ulmerton Road east of Belcher Road, authorities said Thursday.

The Florida High Patrol was still investigating the crash, but it appeared both people "shared responsibility" in the fatal outcome, Trooper Larry Coggins said.

Wallace "Mike" Foster, 24, of Clearwater was riding his 2003 Suzuki motorcycle west on Ulmerton in the right lane at 8:55 p.m., Coggins said. Joan P. Shook, 63, of Largo was headed east in a Ford van when she began to turn left to go north on Coral Way, he said.

Foster, who was wearing a motorcycle helmet, crashed into the passenger's side of the van and was thrown onto the road, troopers said. Investigators were still trying to determine how fast he was going but believe he was exceeding the 45 mph speed limit.

The collision destroyed both vehicles, scattering glass and metal onto the street.

Foster, who owned a lawn and tree service, was pronounced dead at the scene, Coggins said. Shook, who was wearing her seat belt, was taken to Largo Medical Center where she later died, he said.

The crash left two families grieving Thursday.

Shook's son Daniel said she was the mother of five adult children - two boys, three girls - and had been active in the Girl Scouts and athletics when her children were younger.

She had lived in Florida for the past 30 years, he said.

Daniel Shook, 28, said he didn't want to say anything more while questions about the crash remained unanswered.

"Right now, we're worried about the accident investigation," he said.

Foster's family described him as a young man who had been in trouble with the law but turned his life around. In 1998, he pleaded no contest to an attempted murder charge and received three years in prison, according to court records.

In the past two years, he fathered his first child, Ariana, 2, and opened his lawn service. His current girlfriend is six months pregnant with his second child.

"We were so proud of him, the way he stepped up to the plate," said his mother, Cynthia Foster.

"I'm going to miss how he'd come into my home and shout, "Hey, there!' " his mother said. "I'm going to miss him hugging me, him kissing me and telling me he loves me."

She broke down in tears and pulled Ariana onto her lap. She looked into the little girl's face.

"He looked just like you," she said.

Times researcher Carolyn Edds contributed to this report.

[Last modified October 7, 2005, 01:50:23]