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Teen dies in SUV rollover
Two other teens, including the 17-year-old driver, are hurt in the Wesley Chapel crash.
By Times Staff Writer
Published August 30, 2007
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Fire personnel clean up the scene of a single-vehicle rollover on Curley road in Wesley Chapel which resulted in three teens being airlifted to Bayfront Medical Center. A 17-year-old passenger, Matthew Laidley, died later at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa.
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[Times photo: Stephen J. Coddington]
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WESLEY CHAPEL - A 17-year-old student from Wesley Chapel High died Wednesday after a red Isuzu Trooper he was riding in rolled over on Curley Road near Pine Top Way in Wesley Chapel. Matthew Laidley died at about 4 p.m. at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa after being airlifted from the accident scene, said Trooper Larry E. Coggins, the Florida Highway Patrol spokesman. The accident happened at about 2:05 p.m. Coggins said the SUV was driven south on Curley Road by 17-year-old Adam Sanford, with Laidley and Katelin Kasier as passengers. Coggins said Sanford passed other cars by using a turn lane and then the shoulder. When he attempted to get back on the road, Coggins said he lost control and the Trooper rolled over. It appeared everyone in the SUV was hurt, said witness Felix Carreras, who was on his way to pick up his own son from work. Many motorists pulled over and tried to help, Carreras among them. "We knew it was going to be terrible," Carreras said. "They looked really bad." Coggins said Sanford and Kaiser were conscious and talking to each other when authorities first arrived. The wreck forced authorities to close parts of State Road 54 and Curley Road for several hours. Three helicopters were called in to evacuate the injured teens. Sanford and Kaiser were flown to the Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg. "I have a son about the same age," Carreras said. "This is really sad. My heart and my prayers go out to their families."
[Last modified August 29, 2007, 21:41:28]
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Comments on this article
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by Ashley
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09/04/07 10:09 PM
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Give the driver a break...He made a stupid mistake and he's paying for it for the rest of his life. Matt was his good friend and the driver probably hates himself enough. Don't try to point the finger at anyone...not at a time of loss like this.
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by howard
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08/31/07 07:46 AM
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lets see school was out ,,so what was the hurry ,,was he showing his skills. going to scare his passengers, what ,what was the reason for this stupid accident,,had to pee, what,,well the bottom line is he didnt make it home any faster did he,
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by alan
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08/31/07 07:44 AM
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what is wrong with arriving at you destination a few mins later,,than you wanted too. tell me how much time did he end up saving,,right there it is .. follow the flow ,go with the flow once you upset the flow u become out of sinc and dangerous stupid
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by amy
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08/30/07 10:47 PM
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Age did not cause this factor it was a kid being a kid.Wchs has lost 13 students since it's been open maybe even more. Nobody is really thinking about how this may make wchs students feel!
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by RACHEL
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08/30/07 04:32 PM
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i was also in a car accident almost identically like this in May. and I feel for the survivors. things like this happen all the time, and i only wish something could be done, but changing the driving age wont help. teens will find ways around it.
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by brad
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08/30/07 04:16 PM
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i go to the school they were friends friend of mine it was like total depression...today
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by Dick
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08/30/07 02:50 PM
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My condolences to the familys of these kids. To all you other people people that are not senior citisens take a note, Seniors are not the onley ones causing accidents. Seniors do not pass in turn lns or on the shoulders.
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by Jo
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08/30/07 02:09 PM
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So are you suggesting that it's AGE that caused this accident? There are plenty of other factors in this situation. You shouldn't discriminate against teen driviers.
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by steve
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08/30/07 01:33 PM
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Driving crazy has nothing to do with age. I started driving at 11 (I'm 26 now) and have yet to even bump another car. At one time there was an attemp to end drivers ed at my high school in St. Pete. I have no idea if the program is still around
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by hammie
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08/30/07 01:33 PM
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What terrible news....This can happen to anyone's beautiful child. Something needs to be done!
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by taylor
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08/30/07 12:07 PM
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lets not be negative and start controversy. someone has just died, and two more are on the verge. instead of being mad at the driving age, lets just pray for the familes of those who were lost and those who are fightning. I miss you matt. <3 taylor
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by ANNE
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08/30/07 11:23 AM
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THIS IS SO TERRIBLY SAD. PLEASE RAISE THE LEGAL DRIVING AGE TO 18. OUR COMMUNITY, ALL COMMUNITIES HAVE ENDURED THIS KIND OF TRAGEDY. WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DO AS COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO GET THE DRIVING AGE CHANGED?
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by Heather
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08/30/07 11:18 AM
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First I'd like to say hmmm//// to joe below me. I realize what you're saying but your message seemed cold... this is a human life with real family and friends. always be in my heart and memories. We love you!!!
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by JOANNE
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08/30/07 11:08 AM
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I WAS HIT BY A WESLEY CHAPEL TEEN TWO YEARS AGO BECASUE THE STUDENT WAS LATE FOR SCHOOL. THE STUDENT TRIED TO PASS ME WHEN I WAS TURNING AND HIT THE DRIVERS SIDE. MY TWO YR OLD WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME. WAY TOO FAST AND IN A HURRY.
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by Pam
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08/30/07 11:00 AM
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The age to issue a driving licxence should raised to 21. Sometimes we have spoilers and two back to back incidents with 17 yr old driving this needs to be reviewed.
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by D.Podo
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08/30/07 10:53 AM
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i want to give all my condolences to the family of the teen who lost his life because of a irresponsible decision..i am sorry for this tragedy, and just know that my prayers are with you tonight...
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by MALS
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08/30/07 10:37 AM
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If the driving age is raised to 18 wouldn't only be fair to cap it for all the old people that are out killing people while driving under medication and with there medical conditions that cause them to be unsafe.
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by jim
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08/30/07 09:57 AM
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I probably shouldn't have driven at 16. had a friend that was killed in an accident our soph yr. it is such a free feeling to drive but maybe 16 should be moved to 18. so sad
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by m
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08/30/07 09:48 AM
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THis is just terible, Wesley Chapel High has had too many deaths in the past two years. New Jersey has raised its driving age from 17 to 18, maybe its time we did the same
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by Lucy
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08/30/07 09:47 AM
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Every parent of a teen driving to school needs to SEE what takes place when the dismissal bell rings. You will then understand just why after school hours are so deadly for teen drivers. It's the PARENT who has the power to change this behavior.
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by Coach Meza
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08/30/07 08:26 AM
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My prayers go out to the family. I used to coach out there and it hurts to hear that another young person's live was cut short. May God bless the family during this time.
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by Rhonda
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08/30/07 08:09 AM
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My heart goes out to the family who lost their son. Once again another kid made a wrong choice. We as parents and adult need to stress to the kids the road is not a race track. How many more kids are going to die? God bless. Make drivers ed a must...
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by WC Mom
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08/30/07 08:08 AM
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How about build more schools and give us and our children NO room to Drive.
Hwy 54 AND curley road how many kis do we have to Loose!!Some Pleas Help.
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by Julie
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08/30/07 07:47 AM
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Then why do you allow your teen to drive. The only way to stop this is to raise the driving age. My 17 yr old still has his learner's permit. It takes more than a year from 15 to 16 to "learn" how to drive.
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by Sal
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08/30/07 07:43 AM
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Another sad case that could have been avoided. I support moving the driving age up to 18 or at least restricted driving until 18 (no teen passengers or night driving for starters). Lesson for all here though, SLOW DOWN PEOPLE!
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by Amy
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08/30/07 07:42 AM
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we have lost way to many this now makes our count higher , Guys please be safe.RIP. MATT
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by Jane
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08/30/07 07:33 AM
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This tragedy was 100% preventable. The driver made the decision to drive recklessly and should be held accountable for his concious choice. Sad story and I hope this is a lesson to other young drivers to obey the rules of the road. Speed kills.
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by Stephen
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08/30/07 07:21 AM
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Kids just need to realize that their is a consequnce to driving reckless, you can die. I have 2 step kids who are about to reach driving age, a car control clinic is in there future. Regardless, I wish the best for the victims of what has happened.
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by joe
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08/30/07 06:49 AM
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hmm another 17 yr old driving crazy. Do we see a trend here, maybe the driving age should be 18 instead of 16.
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by steve
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08/30/07 05:49 AM
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My heart also but when will these kids stop driving like they are on a race track? Is driver education mandatory...just tired of seeing kids kill thier friends
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by Cecily
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08/30/07 05:21 AM
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A number of us have kids who attend Wesley Chapel High. It sickens me every time I hear sirens in the area because I know that another W.C. family is about to receive tragic news. When I hear the sirens... I pray that it isn't my turn.
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