Two people die in collision; one driver arrested

By Times Staff Writer
Published December 24, 2007

ZEPHYRHILLS

A motorist and his passenger were killed late Saturday in a two-car accident on Lane Road. Florida Highway Patrol identified the driver as Harry R. Hutto, 25, of Plant City. Troopers did not name his 31-year-old passenger, saying the family had not yet been notified. According to a news release from the highway patrol, Hutto was headed south in a two-door Hyundai on Lane Road at a high rate of speed. He drove onto the grassy shoulder, steered left to get back on the road and lost control, rotating counterclockwise - right into a northbound Chevrolet driven by Jeffery Gazella of Zephyrhills. Troopers said Gazella suffered minor injuries. According to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office Web site, Gazella was arrested after the accident on charges of violating his probation on another case, driving with a suspended license and using an unassigned license plate on his vehicle. A booking photo shows him with a neck brace and multiple cuts on his face.

COUNTYWIDE

Holiday schedules

Bus service: Pasco County Public Transportation will be closed on Christmas and New Year's Day in observance of the holidays. Service will be provided today and Dec. 31. Passengers are reminded to use the holiday transit schedule on these days. Regularly scheduled service will resume on Wednesday and Jan. 2. For information, call 727-834-3322 (West Pasco) or 352-521-4587 ( East Pasco ).

Libraries closed: All Pasco County libraries and the New Port Richey Library will be closed today, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

Elderly nutrition, Meals on Wheels: There will be no centers open or deliveries today, Tuesday, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.

NEW PORT RICHEY

Legal aid offered seniors at CARES

Helping the Elderly with Legal Problems (HELP) offers legal assistance to people 60 and older who are residents of Pasco County.

Half-hour appointments begin at 1 p.m. Thursday at CARES Claude Pepper Senior Center, 6640 Van Buren St., New Port Richey. Call (727) 844-3077 for appointment. Assistance is also available at 1 p.m. Tuesday at CARES, Phil Mishkin Center, 7505 Rottingham Road, New Port Richey. Call (727) 862-9291 for appointment.

[Last modified December 23, 2007, 21:30:57]