Northpinellas: Teen killed in car accident

PALM HARBOR - A teenager died after a car accident on East Lake Road and Lansbrook Parkway Saturday night.

Thomas Justin McPhee, 16, was a passenger in a 1998 Ford Mustang driven by Jeremy A. Eaton, 16, of Oldsmar, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

About 11:45 p.m., the two were driving north on East Lake Road and were turning left onto Lansbrook Parkway. A 2004 Nissan Maxima, driven by Robert E. Thurman, 24, of New Port Richey was southbound on East Lake Road in the outside lane.

As Eaton tried to turn left onto Lansbrook Parkway, the front end of Thurman's Nissan hit the right side of Eaton's Mustang.

McPhee was pronounced dead at Bayfront Medical Center. Eaton was in critical condition at Bayfront Sunday night, and Thurman was listed in stable condition at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa.

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by Michelle	06/06/07 10:25 PM
It sickens me that people are trying to put the blame on someone here It was an accident And a 16 year old boy with a whole life ahead of him has died If you are going to write something on here leave the blame out R.I.P TJ we miss u dearly!! 3-18-07

by Gal b/	04/14/07 06:17 PM
r.i.p man..be safe up theree

by Stef	04/05/07 01:17 AM
I miss you Tj, i'm checking on the family, I know your looking down on us. I wish you were still here.

by julie	03/30/07 01:19 PM
im so sorry for this boys family, i heard about his death in class.a young girl told me and i drove by the church when they were doing the funeral.. im so sorry and i hope he is a better place.

by Danielle	03/25/07 12:05 AM
I feel so much pain for the McPhee family I'm a mother & could never imagine losing a child and for them to have lost 2 children is unimaginable. I dont know them but want them to know my heart goes out to them and will keep this family in my prayers

by Kim	03/24/07 06:59 PM
Im sick of people and their comments no where in that article did it say anything about anyone drinking and driving... why place blame? A 16 yr old died and all anyone wants to is place blame. Have respect for all the involved. All 3 were affected.

by Meagan	03/22/07 03:45 PM
I go to eastlake and i knew both TJ and Jeremy. I have never seen so many people affected. on MOnday at school the hallways were silent and we have put up posters all around school where we were able to say our goodbyes. R.I.P TJ get well soon jeremy

by Alex	03/21/07 06:25 PM
To Erin that commented on 03/19/07 04:23 PM, This was not Thurman's fault. If anyone deserves to be prosecuted it is Jeremy. Thurman had the right of way. not Jeremy. Jeremy did NOT have an left turn arrow. He had a cautionary light.

by Ann	03/20/07 10:06 PM
Regardless of reasonings, the loss of a wonderful human being is being mourned. Prayers for all the family members are needed, now and the years to come, for healing is a long process. May we all move forward with God by our sides to ease the pain.

by Kevin	03/20/07 08:45 PM
This is very sad for everyone involved.My heart goes out to the families.As for Thurman,who did have the right of way,he was even in the RIGHT lane.Not only should he not be prosecuted,he should become a Florida driving instructor.

by Christie	03/20/07 08:35 PM
TJ i will miss you and ill never forget you, you are in my thoughts and prayers rest in peace. ELHS will never be the same.

by Maggie	03/20/07 05:39 PM
OMMMGGGG that is sooo sad. Was this boy attending ELHS???

by Denise	03/20/07 03:37 PM
My deepest sympathy and prayers to Bryan and his family. I am Brittney Barry's mother. Brittney is TJ's sister. It is terrible to think that this horrible tragedy could have been prevented. TJ was here 5/06 for Brit's graduation. RIP TJ

by Lori	03/20/07 03:17 PM
My heartfelt prayers to all families involved in this sad and tragic situation especially to TJ's family. May you be comforted by God's great faithfulness,and kept by His great power. May your treasured memories, in time, bring joy to you once again.

by Angela	03/20/07 11:01 AM
My prayers go out to all of the families involved.

by Gloria	03/20/07 09:05 AM
What a tragic event, the pain of which will never leave. I pray the redemption in all of this is that teens will know they are not infallible and ALWAYS drive carefully. that silly adults will realize they are not above the law: NO ALCOHOL FOR MINORS

by Mary	03/19/07 10:42 PM
I am sick and tired of parents allowing kids under age to drink. There should be more arrest made. I have a 20 year old and a 16 year old and I am shocked at what parents allow at parties. And they try to say they didn't know they were drinking.

by Joni	03/19/07 10:37 PM
May we all have the opportunity to provide for these families at this tragic time--we are a community (regardless of where are kids go to school). You are all remembered in my prayers.God is waiting for our requests-give him a few minutes of our day

by Joni	03/19/07 10:34 PM
My heartfelt wishes go out to all 3 parties(TJ and Jeremy)and the other young man who was driving(Thurman). May God be with the boys and their friends and family. Just know if you simply ask for the good Lord's strentgh He will provide-God Bless

by Peter	03/19/07 07:14 PM
This is so sad. But it shows you how things change for the worse. In my days, when I was 16, there was NO WAY that my parents would let me be out driving or being driven around midnight. At that age, they should be home, safe and IN BED! My prayers!

by Karen	03/19/07 06:48 PM
Why do 16 year olds need to be out driving at midnight???? ALL PARENTS...wake up...be the parent not the FRIEND! OF Course No one expects bad things to happen, but why test your 'luck'. Keep them in or drive them yourselves...

by Kim	03/19/07 06:15 PM
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of TJ. I lost my brother 28 years ago at the age of 16, and it is very difficult. Please believe me, time will heal the pain, but the memories will never go away. God bless you and yours.

by M.	03/19/07 05:41 PM
What a terrible tragedy!It could have been any of us. Why was an inexperienced 16 year old driving that late at night? There is a state curfew for new drivers even if the parents didn't enforce one for them!! Sad!!Prayers to the families!

by Paula	03/19/07 05:36 PM
My heart and prayers go out to JT's parents, family and friends. The loss is overwhelming. I hope that all young drivers touched by this tragedy will take stock of their own driving and that of their friends.

by Jenni	03/19/07 05:24 PM
I hope the mother who was serving alcohol to the teenagers get's what's coming to her!

by Erin	03/19/07 04:23 PM
Thurman should be prosecuted to the fullest. There is no reason a 16 year old high school student should be promounced dead.

by Chuck	03/19/07 03:43 PM
Please put a control device at that intersection, I see close calls every day....

by Mom	03/19/07 03:06 PM
There will be a candlelight vigil at East Lake High School, tonight (Monday) at around 7 p.m. to honor both T.J. and Jeremy. They will be remembered as amazing young men who were football players, friends, and great students.

by Stephanie	03/19/07 02:59 PM
My heart goes out for this great boy and his family. We have had the pleasure of knowing him since he was in elementry. Please everyone, take good care of this family. God Bless you TJ, you were loved by hundreds!

by Miguel	03/19/07 02:44 PM
I was at the scene of the accident at around 12:05 Saturday night (Emergency units from both Eastlake and Tarpon Springs worked very hard to save his life; Bayflite arrived shortly after the accident). My prayers go to the family.

by Marie	03/19/07 02:27 PM
I want JT's family to know that he will be missed and we have your family in our prayers. JT was a great QB and kid.

by susan	03/19/07 02:26 PM
i'm so sorry to the family for the loss of such a young life, and the person who was driving the car, their life will never be the same. i go by there every day, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

by Megan Woods	03/19/07 02:04 PM
I just want Tom and Jeremy's families to know that I'm thinking about them and that they are in my prayers. Rest in peace my friend.

by Alex	03/19/07 01:15 PM
This kid goes to my school. Apparently, they were coming home from a party were a mother was serving alcohol. T.J. was supposed to be the designated driver but Jeremy wouldn't hand over the keys. best wishes to the family...

by Kim	03/19/07 12:18 PM
God Bless My nephew Thomas McPhee. I know he is with his little sister and she is taken care of him. Kaylee Barry died 3/18/93 and TJ died 14years to the day on 3/18/2007. God Bless them both. Love your Aunt Kim Adams