Digest

News on the go

By Times Staff Writer
Published October 22, 2007

PLANT CITY

20-year-old dies in single-car crash on i-4

A 20-year-old Mayport man died in a one-car crash on Interstate 4 early Sunday. The Florida Highway Patrol is withholding his name until his family is contacted. Officials say the man was driving his Mitsubishi Galant east, half a mile from the Polk County line when he lost control, hit a guardrail and overturned about 3:45 a.m. The driver was not wearing his seat belt. Two 23-year-old passengers in the car were transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center. Their conditions were unknown late Sunday.

TAMPA

Three blazes keep firefighters busy

Three unrelated blazes kept firefighters busy late Saturday into early Sunday. No one was hurt.

- Just before 11 p.m. Saturday, Tampa Fire Rescue responded to 2612 E 98th Ave., where a fire started in a pickup truck and spread to the garage. Damage was estimated at $50,000, spokesman Capt. Bill Wade said.

- Three hours later, firefighters rushed to 2910 W Frierson Ave., where flames consumed a vacant wood frame house. Officials say the fire was an act of arson. No further details were available Sunday. The damage was estimated at $125,000.

- About 2:30 a.m., a backyard fire at 4322 S Hale Ave. spread to the house. Officials say a cigarette was improperly discarded into debris in a barbecue. Damage was estimated at $10,000.

NEW PORT RICHEY

Police dig for body of missing woman

Acting on a tip, investigators with the Pasco Sheriff's Office spent Sunday digging behind a mobile home on 5601 Leisure Lane in search of a buried body. By late afternoon, they found one: a small animal, thought to be a cat, said sheriff's spokesman Kevin Doll. Authorities had received a tip they might find evidence related to the case of Tammy Walker, a woman who disappeared in the area in late 2006, Doll said. Walker's case remains open. Walker was reportedly suicidal. Anyone with information may call the Sheriff's Office at 1-800-854-2862.

YBOR CITY

Maintenance will close SR 60 lanes

Starting today, some lanes on State Road 60 between 26th and 34th streets will be closed. The closures will only be in the right lane of eastbound SR 60, also called Adamo Drive. They will start at 9 a.m. and should end by 3 p.m. daily through Friday while crews clean culverts.

[Last modified October 22, 2007, 00:11:07]