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Wreck blamed on cereal-eating driver

Distracted while eating a bowl of dry Frosted Flakes, the motorist is cited for failing to yield the right of way after he struck a deputy's vehicle.

By ANNE LINDBERG
Published May 10, 2006

It was Friday and Pinellas County Deputy Nick Lazaris was on his way to give a morning presentation on aggressive and drunken driving geared to the teenagers at St. Petersburg Catholic High School.

But Lazaris was delayed.

As he approached the intersection of Seminole Boulevard and 117th Drive, he was hit by a northbound pickup truck that was trying to make a left turn into a shopping center.

Lance Matthew Kocses, 30, the driver of the 1999 Toyota Tacoma, was cited for failing to yield the right of way.

There were no injuries, but $5,000 damage was done to both vehicles, Pinellas County sheriff's spokesman Mac McMullen said.

The problem, McMullen said, was that Kocses was distracted.

"It was determined he was eating Frosted Flakes while he was driving," McMullen said.

"I think the fortunate thing is nobody was really hurt so we can talk about the Frosted Flakes.''

No milk was involved, McMullen said.

"They were in a bowl, but they were dry," he said.

Kocses did not return a phone call seeking comment.

[Last modified May 10, 2006, 07:47:04]