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Girl, 14, killed when car slams into pickup

By Times staff
Published January 10, 2007

GIRL, 14, KILLED WHEN CAR SLAMS INTO PICKUP

A 14-year-old girl was killed Tuesday afternoon in a two-car accident on U.S. 41. About 5 p.m., a 1990 Toyota coupe driven by 16-year-old Joshua Parsons of Land O'Lakes was traveling north in the right lane on U.S. 41 near the Caliente Resort and Spa, according to Florida Highway Patrol spokesman Larry Coggins. Krista Sellars, 14, of Land O'Lakes was a passenger in the car. The Toyota shot across the highway and into the left lane, as if headed for the center turnaround lane, Coggins said. But the car ran into the back of a 2004 Nissan pickup truck in the left lane driven by Robert Korpol, 68, of Land O'Lakes. A portion of the Toyota went under the pickup. Sellars, a Pineview Middle School student, was wearing a seat belt but died at the scene. Parsons suffered minor injuries but was not taken to a hospital. Korpol was not injured. An investigation is under way, Coggins said, adding that charges against Parsons are possible pending the outcome.

Driver cleared in fatal accident

The driver of a van that ran over and killed a 3-year-old boy is not at fault, according to a Florida Highway Patrol investigation. Alex Lopez was killed Dec. 28 when he followed his older brother, Tyler Lopez, 6, across Temple Stand Avenue in their Ashley Pines subdivision. The driver - Andre Gobourne, 26, of Orlando - was driving 5 mph. "It was just an unfortunate accident," patrol spokesman Larry Coggins said. Several adults were outside when it happened. Alex's mother, Jessica Lopez, was inside her home, neighbors said. Whether Alex's mother is at fault is a question left to investigators of the Pasco County Sheriff's Office. Coggins said all cases in which a child is hurt or killed are forwarded for further review. Sheriff's spokesman Doug Tobin said he is not allowed to say if an investigation is or is not taking place. That will not become public until there is an arrest or the case is cleared.

Parking fines may increase by $30

Culprits who get caught parking illegally in Pasco County may soon be pinched more in their wallets. County commissioners told county lawyers to begin writing a law that would raise the fine for residential violations from $10 to $40. Penalties for repeat offenders could also go up. The maximum fine of $260 for parking illegally in a disabled-only spot would stay the same. Jim Turtle, a Holiday neighborhood association leader, told commissioners Tuesday in a Dade City meeting that community groups think illegal parking is getting out of hand. Assistant County Attorney Kristi Wooden said 2,000 citations were written last year. "If that's not effective, then maybe it is too low fines," she said.

Correction

Fitness instructor Nancy Garvey leads a Jazzercise class at World Gym on State Road 54 in Land O'Lakes. A photo caption Tuesday misidentified the gym.

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[Last modified January 10, 2007, 07:36:58]