Northpinellas: Tarpon man hit trying to cross U.S. 19

North Pinellas

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Tarpon man hit trying to cross U.S. 19

By TIMES STAFF
Published December 4, 2006

TARPON SPRINGS - A 54-year-old Tarpon Springs man was seriously injured after being struck by a car as he tried to cross U.S. 19 early Saturday morning, police said.

Officers said they came upon the accident scene at U.S. 19 and Lemon Street at 1:13 am Saturday.

Willie James Reed, of 609 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., was crossing U.S. 19 when he was hit by a northbound 1997 Buick driven by Richard L. Ballard, 37, of Tarpon Springs, police said.

There is no crosswalk where Reed was trying to cross the highway, and another driver told police he had almost hit Reed moments before nearby in the southbound lanes.

Reed was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa with severe head injuries, and an administrator with the hospital said on Sunday he was released.

Police said Reed appeared to have been drinking.

[Last modified December 4, 2006, 07:32:59]

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