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Another fatality has teen at wheel
No charges have been filed after a 16-year-old loses control and hits a man on scooter.
By REBECCA CATALANELLO, RODNEY THRASH and LETITIA STEIN, Times Staff Writers
Published September 27, 2007
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[Daniel Wallace | Times]
Investigators from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office collect evidence from a black convertible Nissan 350z on the bank of a retention pond off Countryway Boulevard just south of Woodbay Drive on Wednesday, after a fatal crash involving the Nissan colliding with a scooter.
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TAMPA - An Alonso High student lost control of his car and crashed into a scooter, killing the driver, then plunged into a pond Wednesday, sheriff's deputies said.
Sophomore driver John Holland Jr. and his passenger Trevor Ekovich, both 16, escaped the submerged car uninjured.
But not far away from the skid marks showing the car's path, a man lay unresponsive in the middle of Countryway Boulevard near Woodbay Drive, according to one witness. Deputies did not release the victim's name pending notification of his next of kin.
The crash is the latest in a string of fatal accidents in the Tampa Bay area involving teen drivers.
Deputies said Holland was northbound in a 2005 Nissan 350Z when the car veered across the center lane into oncoming traffic, striking the oncoming southbound scooter.
Though no charges had been filed in the 3:17 p.m. collision as investigators pieced together what happened, the accident quickly prompted school officials and parents to voice concern over teen driving safety.
"I'm nervous as a parent with today's drivers and a lot of kids don't take this as seriously as they could," said Michelle Mayfield, president of the Alonso PTSA, who came upon the accident about 10 minutes after it occurred.
By now, the names of the young dead are stacking up: 14-year-old Raquel Carreras of St. Petersburg died Sept. 15 after a car loaded with five others under 15 lost control; 17-year-old Matthew Laidley of Wesley Chapel died on Aug. 29, his two friends seriously injured; 17-year-old driver Tyler Clark of Valrico died Oct. 8 after his Jeep carrying seven others bumped a median and spun out of control, injuring the others.
Other names and dates in recent memory:
- Oct. 13: Charlotte Marie Hoffman's Ford Mustang flew off a curve, hit a tree and broke in two pieces, killing Callie Lynn Roberts, her 16-year-old passenger. Hoffman of Ruskin was 18.
- Oct. 18: Andrew Leight, 16, driving his father's truck in Gibsonton, clipped 15-year-old Fredrick Gardner's bike, killing Fredrick.
- Feb. 27: Lindsey Rutledge, 16, died in Valrico after she stepped into the path of a car driven by Zachary Carroll, 16. No charges have been filed.
And Hulk Hogan's 17-year-old son, Nick Bollea, is in the center of a high-profile case as Clearwater police investigate his Aug. 26 collision, which critically injured his passenger, 22-year-old John Graziano.
An estimated 702 crashes occur on Florida roads every day, most frequently involving drivers 15 to 19.
Stephen Hegarty, spokesman for Hillsborough County schools, said the problem has become so urgent that superintendent MaryEllen Elia has made it a part of town hall meetings. She has one at 7 tonight at Jefferson High School.
Elia frequently requests that officers station themselves around campuses to police teen drivers, Hegarty said.
"We have had too many tragedies," he said. "All you can do is stress it over and over again."
At the Holland household Wednesday evening, a weary-looking woman answered the door. She said "We're very, very upset," but declined to speak further.
At the Ekovich house, a man curtly declined as well. Two teenage boys sat outside on the driveway in this upper middle-class neighborhood with its large, beautiful homes in beige and brown, looking glum and worried about their friend.
Hegarty said Alonso administrators would be monitoring whether the situation called for crisis counseling at the school. The campus is a little more than 2 miles southeast of the site of the fatal accident.
"I don't know if this student is at fault," Hegarty said, "but just to be involved in something like this would be a life-altering experience."
Rebecca Catalanello can be reached at 813 226-3383 or rcatalanello@sptimes.com Times researcher John Martin contributed to this report.
[Last modified September 27, 2007, 00:32:49]
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by Mary
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09/28/07 09:36 PM
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The problem here is that teen brains are not developed enough to make wise choices. Even smart, nice kids can shock us with random irresponsibly. They succumb to peer pressure, hormones, sense of indestructability, adventure,etc. RAISE THE AGE TO 18!
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by mary
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09/28/07 09:32 PM
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The car belonged to his daddy. Their house isn't THAT big. And both his parents have to work to support their lifestyle. So don't be dissing on the rich kid. He's no Nick Bollea. That said, he made some horrible choices that led to this.
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by Andrew
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09/28/07 04:22 PM
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Let's start making the parents responsible for their kids' actions.
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by Bill
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09/28/07 02:07 PM
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The car was a 350Z. Who would let a 16 year old drive such a fast sports car. It was a convertible also, with the top down, this olny add to the distraction of the driver.
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by Glenn
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09/28/07 08:14 AM
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My prayers are with all involved...
But a 300HP 2005 Nissan 350Z does not belong in the hands of a teenager. This is the parents responsibility to limit the type of vehicle "kids" should drive. Or at least train & test them to handle such a vehicle.
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by jimmy
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09/28/07 04:55 AM
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parent who let their teenage son loose on the roads with a 350Z need their heads examined
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by Doug
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09/27/07 11:39 PM
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A 16 yo child driving a 25K convertible sports car known to fishtail out of control. What where this kids parents thinking. Very sad
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by Ashley
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09/27/07 10:00 PM
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Trevor and Johnny are both my really good friends from Alonso and I feel so bad that this happened. I can't believe that they would do something like this intentionally. I wish them the best to get over it, and I know they are both really good kids.
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by kevin
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09/27/07 06:57 PM
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I think that this shows how irresponsible we teens really are, Also that they should reconsider their driving tests. I am not saing this as an adult but as an alonso high school student.
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by Jessica
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09/27/07 06:05 PM
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I am a Z-driver and I would just like to know what parent buys their 16-year old kid a z and thinks that they have the maturity and driving skills to use it!?!?
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by Mel
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09/27/07 05:41 PM
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16 Years old driving, 350Z, 16 year old passenger, you ask "What's wrong with this picture?" There is not enough room in this box to tell you what is wrong. Start with age, has/has not had Drivers Ed., a 350Z, how long driving, no adult supervision.
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by adam
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09/27/07 05:17 PM
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Bob, I will miss you.
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by Nick
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09/27/07 05:10 PM
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"Beautiful" houses....hmph, sounds like a bit editorial to me. This is a clear case of yet another rich kid w/out boundaries, saying screw the world, it's all about me. Tragedy.
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by Pete
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09/27/07 04:27 PM
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Does a 16-year-old need a new 350Z?
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by Nick
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09/27/07 01:52 PM
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"...the car veered across the center lane into oncoming traffic, striking the oncoming southbound scooter..." What else can you say. Another teen killed someone.
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by Jessica
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09/27/07 01:47 PM
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Who in their right mind would let a teenager drive a 350z? It's basically telling them you want them to drive fast and recklessly.
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by lori
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09/27/07 01:45 PM
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a 350z is Way Too Much Car for a 16 year old!!!!!!!!!!!!
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by Bill
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09/27/07 01:45 PM
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What parent in their right mind would give the keys to a car like that to a 16 year old, if that was my son killed....
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by Carol
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09/27/07 01:04 PM
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I think getting a permit at 15 is okay, but new drivers should have their permit for at least two years before being allowed to get a license.
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by Dave
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09/27/07 12:34 PM
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Why in heavans name don't they raise the age for kids to get a licence. Havn't there been enough teenagers killed. It's time to do something and not talk about it DO IT.
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by Curt
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09/27/07 12:16 PM
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Adult drivers in Florida are responsible for many more traffic fatalities than teen drivers. The state of our roadways provides a very difficult environment for new drivers to learn. Before people attack teen drivers the adults need to drive better.
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by Jeremy
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09/27/07 12:15 PM
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I know from reading news across the country that this problem isn't isolated to the greater Tampa Bay area. It is time to do something like impose more restrictions on drivers until they are 18 (or later if they get any citations before turning 18).
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by marty
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09/27/07 11:54 AM
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Why is a 16yr old driving a 350Z?? What are the parents thinking? That is just irresponsible.
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by Annoyed
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09/27/07 11:48 AM
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All of the "Under-aged" drivers are real putting a damper on things. Now I have to agree with all of the angry parents who have made the opinion of wanting to up the driving age. I am behind them 100%. This is becoming an every day tragedy.
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by L. Ranger
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09/27/07 11:45 AM
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why wasnt a citation wasnt issued in this case. If a driver losses control and makes contact with another vehicle as a result its an automatic ticket, "careless driving". beause of the fatality should have been "reckless driving" Ditto for Bollea
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by Richard
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09/27/07 11:17 AM
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Driving age be changed to 18, & there should be a limit on the size engine they drive.Larger engines mean faster cars, until 21,they should be limited in the size of the engine.A 16 y/old has no bus. driving a 350Z!Make school mandatory for all!
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by jack
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09/27/07 11:12 AM
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Teen trsgedy will always be with us. You can't put an old head on young shoulders
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by R. Fix
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09/27/07 11:04 AM
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error is the bottom line for 90% of teen vehicle crashes. Immaturity and irresponsible behavior come with being a teen. The parents shouldnt be handing them loaded weapons (powerful sports or muscle cars) to drive. and restrict usage of available veh
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by Fred
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09/27/07 11:03 AM
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The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office offers "Teen Driver Challenge" - a realistic class in responsible driving that includes exercises on a controlled driving range. Many people, including adults, simply do not understand the effect of speed.
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by Rhonda
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09/27/07 11:01 AM
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once again someone has died at the expense of a teenage driver. The law needs to change asap before to many people die. Raise driving to 18. I drop my daughter off at DHS and I have come close to being hit by the young drivers as they are pull in.
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by Emmet
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09/27/07 10:50 AM
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Giving a 16-year-old child a $30,000 290 horsepower sports car that can go 155 mph in 5.8 seconds is absolutely outrageous, and nothing short of culpable criminal negligence. I hope the victim's family sues them for every single penny they're worth.
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by kim
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09/27/07 10:48 AM
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Driver's permits should start at 18.
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by P
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09/27/07 10:47 AM
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lets lock all kids away and throw away the key. this seems like a great! idea...kids have been dying in car accidents as long as there have been cars. so have adults..get the picture? car accidents happen whether old or young. its called an accident
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by Sheryl
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09/27/07 10:40 AM
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What can we expect from kids when they're being taught that nobody can tell them what to do or think, that whatever they want to do is OK? Society says don't give them any negative feedback because it might "hurt their ego". Is death negative enough?
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by R. Fix
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09/27/07 10:33 AM
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The question is not one of fault, but responsibility and accountability. A 16 year old inexperienced driver behind the wheel of a 350Z is a tragedy waiting to happen. Nick Bollea had more experience with fast cars, result was the same. Driver cont
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