Women rescued as car fills with water

By Times Wires
Published December 17, 2007

PLANT CITY

Two women were rescued early Sunday from a car submerged in a retention pond. Driver Wendy Ocegueda and passenger Elisabeth Rodriguez, both 22, were driving east on Interstate 4 near Alexander Street about 3:50 a.m. when Ocegueda changed lanes and lost control. The 2007 Toyota veered onto the grassy shoulder and overturned into a pond. A state trooper and two Hillsborough deputies pulled the women from the car as it filled with water, the Florida Highway Patrol said. Ocegueda escaped uninjured. Rodriguez suffered minor injuries.

ST. PETERSBURG

Police: Guard shot man in parking lot

A man was shot by a security guard Saturday night after he became belligerent in the parking lot of a nursing home. Jacob Michaels, 33, had driven his girlfriend and her friend, employees of Bons Secours Maria Manor Nursing Home, to the facility so the friend could pick up her car, St. Petersburg police said. Michaels waited outside. Security guard Richard Dunn, 41, approached Michaels about 11:30 p.m. and a dispute ensued, police said. Michaels pulled a gun and was shot twice by Dunn. Neither wound is life-threatening and no charges have been filed, police said.

TAMPA

Man hit victim with a car, police say

Police arrested a man Sunday after witnesses said he deliberately hit someone with a car. Eddie Lee Darien Jr., 63, hit the victim with a 2001 Saturn at 2203 N Lois Ave., according to records. The victim, whom police did not identify, went to St. Joseph's Hospital. Darien, of 912 Curtis St., is charged with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm. He remained in the Orient Road Jail on Sunday night in lieu of $15,000 bail.

LAKE WALES

Baby of mother set on fire dies

A premature baby delivered after his mother was set on fire during the robbery of a Polk County insurance office died Sunday, authorities said. The 1-pound, 2-ounce baby, delivered Thursday, died at an Orlando hospital, police said. The child was more than three months premature. The mother, Juanita "Jane" Luciano, 23, and aunt, Yvonne Bustamante, 26, were set on fire Thursday at the insurance office where they worked, police said. Both were in critical condition. Leon Davis Jr., 30, charged with the crimes, also is accused of killing two BP gas station employees Dec. 7.

Times staff, wires

[Last modified December 16, 2007, 23:27:32]