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Motorcyclist struck, sent to hospital
A 17-year-old driver pulls into the motorcyclist's path on Bayshore Boulevard, Tampa police say.
By REBECCA CATALANELLO
Published January 27, 2007
TAMPA - A motorcyclist was hospitalized Friday after he was struck by a Jeep pulling out of a Bayshore Boulevard condominium complex, police said. Seventeen-year-old Christopher Johnson, driver of the Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, buried his head in his hands as he watched police try to piece together the accident scene. Just behind him, at Tampa General Hospital, motorcyclist Willie L. Sturks, 40, of 3502 E 28th Ave., was undergoing surgery, police said. Sturks was still being treated in the emergency room late Friday and his condition was not available, a hospital official said. Witnesses said the motorcyclist appeared to be going the speed limit as he traveled southwest on Bayshore Boulevard toward South Tampa, Sgt. Raymond Fernandez said. The Jeep pulled into the motorcyclist's path, he said. No criminal charges were expected against Johnson, but they are weighing whether a traffic citation is warranted, police spokeswoman Laura McElroy said. Following the 3:22 p.m. wreck in front of 345 Bayshore Blvd., the crushed Yamaha motorcycle lay near the Jeep's rear driver's side tires. The Jeep faced the Bay. Crumpled motorcyclists' clothes had been discarded on the asphalt several feet away, where Fernandez said the victim landed after impact. Sturks was not wearing a helmet, McElroy said. Tampa police closed the Bayshore Boulevard downtown exit on the Davis Islands bridge to reduce traffic along the busy roadway as they collected evidence and talked to witnesses. The lane closure caused significant traffic delays on Davis Islands as drivers tried to get to Tampa during rush hour. As two adults comforted the 17-year-old from their spot on the busy Bayshore pedestrian walkway, cyclists, joggers and stroller-pushers passed, some only pausing briefly to ask what had happened - some not asking at all. The day before the Gasparilla pirate parade, the typically tranquil waterfront roadway was cluttered with barricades, food stands advertising sausage sandwiches and lemonade, and portable toilets.
[Last modified January 27, 2007, 06:09:30]
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by Lou
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01/27/07 05:01 PM
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Sad indeed. A very good friend of mine, layed his Harley, not to crash with a van that ran a red light. The van hit my friend, never stopped,was a hit and run,never was caught. My friend was in a coma for 3 months, and survived.Also, no helmet!!
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by alan
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01/27/07 08:12 AM
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well being a cyclist myself and i do choose to wear a helmet..and look here a good reason too..many folks in the t.b area are in a hurry and thats 24-7. you see them all the time running to the red light , like there time is to valuabule to waste. s-
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