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Six hurt when pickup veers off road, hits tree

None of the injuries are life-threatening. The driver had blood taken for alcohol testing.

By JONATHAN ABEL
Published July 6, 2006

SPRING HILL - The Fourth of July holiday ended with a helicopter ride to the hospital for five victims of a traffic accident.

About 9 p.m., David L. Boyer, 44, was driving a 2005 Dodge pickup west on County Line Road when he veered off the north shoulder and struck a tree, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The crash happened at the intersection of Dandelion Court.

When paramedics arrived, they determined that five of the six people in the truck had to be flown to St. Joseph's Hospital or Tampa General Hospital. The sixth victim was taken to Spring Hill Regional Hospital, officials said.

David Boyer was in fair condition at Tampa General. Jennifer Preeper, 19, was in good condition at Tampa General.

Katurah Cox, 40, was in serious condition at St. Joseph's Hospital. Megan Boyer, 11, was also taken to St. Joseph's, but her condition could not be revealed without parental consent.

David Deal, 20, was taken to Spring Hill Regional. And Lana Boyer, 43, was flown to a hospital, but neither Tampa General nor St. Joseph's could provide additional information.

None of the injuries were life-threatening, officials said.

FHP spokesman Trooper Larry Coggins Jr. said there were "signs of impairment" on the driver, so blood was drawn to test for alcohol.

"The appropriate charges will be made once the results are returned," Coggins said.

Boyer lives at 16821 Disk Drive in the Pasco part of Spring Hill.

In February 2005, Boyer received a traffic citation in Hillsborough County for careless driving.

Researcher Angie Drobnic Holan contributed to this report. Jonathan Abel can be reached at jabel@sptimes.com or 352 754-6114.

[Last modified July 6, 2006, 12:06:05]