Northpinellas: Pedestrian dies on Memorial Causeway

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Pedestrian dies on Memorial Causeway

By SHEELA RAMAN
Published December 30, 2006

CLEARWATER - A pedestrian trying to cross the Memorial Causeway to Clearwater Beach died Friday evening after being hit by a Rolls-Royce near Island Estates, police said.

The driver of the 1994 black Rolls-Royce was heading west on the causeway about 6:30 p.m. when the pedestrian tried to cross from the south to the north side of the road near Island Way.

The pedestrian made it across the eastbound lanes of the divided highway but was hit trying to cross the westbound lanes. The impact dented the front grille of the car.

The pedestrian was pronounced dead at Morton Plant Hospital. Police had not released the victim's name, age or gender or the name of the driver late Friday night.

The driver stopped after the accident, and police said he did not appear to be speeding or at fault. Westbound lanes of the causeway were closed for several hours Friday as police investigated the death.

[Last modified December 30, 2006, 06:30:05]

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Comments on this article

by Jennifer	01/01/07 12:39 AM
Please don't harshly judge the pedestrian, although one may argue that it is a dangerous place to cross. Pedestrians always have the right of way. I agree with the comments about making it a safer place for bikers/walkers. He was taken far too young!

by Peter W. Hutchings	12/31/06 01:53 AM
this was my best friend, he maybe of been at fault, none the less he is dead and the fault of the the pedestrian or driver has no effect on how i feel aobut the situation. This is a tradgey i won't soon get over. Thank you for reading this,honestly

by Frederick	12/30/06 10:14 PM
The U.S. has 115 motor vehicle caused deaths EVERY DAY and yet supposedly responsible newspapers (greatly enriched by automobile advertising) essentially never print safe driving tips. Ask NOTHING from your newspaper and they'll deliver.

by Jiggs	12/30/06 07:21 PM
This incident happened on the Memorial Causeway from downtown Clearwater to Clearwater Beach. Not like the Courtney Campbell fatalities.

by Momma	12/30/06 02:03 PM
Donna, two different places! Courtney Campbell connects Clwtr to Tampa, Memorial Causeway connects Clwtr to Clwtr Beach.

by Carrie	12/30/06 01:42 PM
Or do they not have a safe option at all? Pedestrians have the legal right of way in crosswalks, let's give safer and convenient ones to them. But in this state drivers are catered to. We don't even build adequate bike lanes. Spend the money.

by Marnie	12/30/06 12:49 PM
For those who would blame the pedestrian, I would call your attention to the Florida law that gives pedestrians the right of way. It is time for drivers to obey the law and stop killing those who walk.

by Chris	12/30/06 12:34 PM
Donna, The Memorial Causeway is on the west end of Route 60, but not related to the Courtney Campbell in any way.

by Candi	12/30/06 12:24 PM
Every week some one is getting run over on the roads in pasco county and some in your county to isn't your streets lighten up enough? People need to get togeather and get with the city to add more lighting, it's a shame something needs to be done

by Brad	12/30/06 11:41 AM
Um...Donna...the man was struck on the Memorial Causeway leading to Clearwater Beach, NOT the Courtney Campbell.

by Donna	12/30/06 09:37 AM
3rd fatality in 24 hrs - Does anyone not get that it is dangerous to cross the Courtney Campbell Causeway during the day, much less at night. One has to wonder what they were thinking, or do they somehow feel they have the right of way?

by Marie	12/30/06 08:56 AM
I cannot see that the driver was at fault at all...this was an accident caused by the lack of judgement of pedestrian crossing a busy highway at a time which is already dark.