Northpinellas: Two people killed in Keene Road crash

CLEARWATER - Two Clearwater residents are dead after a collision between a motorcycle and a Buick sedan on Keene Road Thursday afternoon.

The motorcyclist, James Popovich, 44, of 1424 South Betty Lane, was pronounced dead at Mease Dunedin Hospital, according to Clearwater Police spokesman, Wayne Shelor.

Also killed was the passenger in the Buick, Narcyza Michalak, 80, of 1245 Dr. Martin Luther King Ave. S, who died at the scene.

The car's driver, Abraham Wohl, 84, who lives at the same address as Michalak, was taken to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg. His injuries are not believed to be serious, Shelor said. The relationship between Wohl and Michalak was unclear Thursday night.

The accident happened at about 3 p.m. at the intersection of Keene Road and Flagler Drive. Shelor said the green 2001 Buick Century is believed to have been traveling north on Keene Road when the driver made a left turn to go west on Flagler Drive, turning into the path of Popovich's southbound 1975 Honda motorcycle.

The speed limit on Keene Road is 40 mph. Southbound traffic on Keene Road was closed for several hours from Sunset Point Road to Drew Street.

The passenger side of the car was pushed in more than a foot from the impact of the motorcycle. A motorcycle helmet and shattered glass remained on the road. The car's back window was gone.

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Comments on this article

by Jeff	04/24/07 10:49 PM
This man is responsible for two murders. He should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Period. Until we hold drivers responsible we condone the slaughter.

by Dave	04/20/07 08:27 AM
I ride daily. These old folks have always been a problem but not the worst of them. Every week I have to do something to avoid some fool talking/texting on their cell phone. People need to start taking some responsibility in their driving. WATCH OUT!

by Karen	04/19/07 03:07 PM
Isn't it interesting that by law passengers in a car must wear a seatbelt for protection. Motorcyclists have absolutely no protection. Why would anyone want to ride a motorcycle in an area with so much traffic and no protection?

by Gerry	04/15/07 06:19 PM
Teresa - what if you were on the motorcycle. Motorcyclists see these types of events every day. They aren't accidents.

by Frank	04/15/07 02:42 AM
There is a difference between an accident and negligance. To cause an accident and claim to not seen the other vehicle is either poor (negligent)driving habits or the drivers vision has failed to the point of being dangerous. WATCH FOR MOTORCYCLES!

by Ann	04/14/07 12:03 AM
I hope the state takes away this old man's license. Honestly when you get to the age when you're incontinent its time to get rid of the car and take the bus.

by Linda	04/13/07 10:22 PM
People of every age need to be more careful. It's awful, this person was a good friend of mine. Great Guy!!

by Katie	04/13/07 10:07 PM
I'm a firm believer in revoking licenses at 60-65 unless you can pass an extensive driving test with no room for failure, must be 100%! And then, they just need to take a cab after 70. I have yet to find someone over 70 who can "drive".

by Chris	04/13/07 05:52 PM
Statistically, many many elderly drivers get killed when turning left, as in this case. They seem not to see or judge oncoming traffic.

by ms	04/13/07 03:52 PM
Yes it was an accident, motorcycles are hard to see, please drivers look more than just once, scan your intersections.

by Grace	04/13/07 03:04 PM
It is unfortunate that this had to happen, two people lost their lives. Why is it that it has to be because your 84? Has anyone stopped to think that we have a lot careless riders out there. We don't have the facts yet.Stop jumping to conclusions.

by Cindy	04/13/07 02:24 PM
When a person reaches a certain age, I thing that they are required "yearly" to renew their license....a man's life is gone....so is a womans....it sounds like the man just decided to change lanes without looking...such a shame!

by John	04/13/07 01:04 PM
Accidents are results of circumstances which could not be avoided. That is not the case here. The idiot in the car could have waited, instead he failed to accurately judge the distance to the bike (age = vision issues)and proceeded to kill people.

by Mike	04/13/07 11:54 AM
I'm sorry Teresa, but this "accident" was caused by a driver who failed to yield the right of way. This happens constantly to motorcyclists, no matter what the car driver's age. The rider dies and the driver gets a ticket. Where's the justice?

by Patrick	04/13/07 11:31 AM
I've seen a million of these japanese motorcycles going way too fast down this particular road. I'm sure both drivers had their share of blame.

by Rachel	04/13/07 11:25 AM
I was recently in a motorcycle accident myself - rear-ended because someone in a vehicle was DISTRACTED. Pay attention to the road at all times - which is something that motorcyclists MUST do to stay alive. We can only hope that other drivers do too.

by christine	04/13/07 11:19 AM
I agree there needs to be regular tests done frequently with elderly drivers. Also, it always seems to be the left hand turns causing a problem for drivers any age. There was another fatal accident yesterday involving a left hand turn.

by Paul	04/13/07 11:05 AM
I used to ride my bike in New Jersey but once I moved to Florida it was time to give it up and buy a car. It's a shame that I can't enjoy a ride in the beautiful weather here, but with 15 & 85 year old drivers the risk is not worth the reward.

by Morman	04/13/07 10:47 AM
norman kirkland loved the water

by Gail	04/13/07 10:42 AM
Not to defend old drivers and I agree they should have to take the driving test, last time I had to was when I first got my license 31 yrs ago. But teen drivers are just as bad as older ones. I was almost killed by a 17 yr old who ran a light.

by nick	04/13/07 10:13 AM
They aren't called "accidents" by law enforcement anymore. They are "crashes" now. No more "but judge, it was an accident...". This is all about driver not paying attention. Or being blind as a bat and needing his license revoked.

by John	04/13/07 09:55 AM
Accident? I don't think so, accidents are unavoidable events. Clearly this oldster shouldn't have been driving. now 2 are dead because of him.

by JT	04/13/07 09:43 AM
Since 9-11-01 there have been over 200K traffic fatalities (Illegals responsible for 35K of these).This is the elephant in the room for those who protest the loss of human life.Need increased restrictions on who can drive and tougher penalties

by Wade	04/13/07 09:37 AM
For most physical abilities decline in the later years. But it would not be hard to find many examples of a young person making the same deadly mistake. There a many drivers of all ages who do not have adequate driving skills.

by Karen	04/13/07 09:24 AM
That motercycle had to have been going REALLY fast to do that much damage to the car.

by Teresa	04/13/07 08:28 AM
There is a reason why these are called "accidents". There are as many accidents that involve younger drivers. Just chalk it up to fate and the fact that it was an unfortunate "accident".

by Butch	04/13/07 08:07 AM
How many more of us motorcyclist need to be killed before we have a mandatory yearly drivers test for folks that have reached a certain age?

by christina	04/13/07 07:50 AM
i agree,too old to drive and/or react.my condolences and watch out for the other person in your rearview mirror.they mite be older!!!!!!!!

by Vic	04/13/07 06:29 AM
The car's driver was 84.Nothing more needs to be said.

Two people killed in Keene Road crash

A motorcycle collides with a Buick sedan making a turn. Police are investigating.