City attorney gets ticket in accident

She was unhurt; the other driver was taken to the hospital.

By HELEN ANNE TRAVIS, Times Staff Writer
Published January 25, 2008

ADVERTISEMENT Karla Owens was ticketed for violating the right of way.

DADE CITY - City Attorney Karla Owens was in a car accident Thursday afternoon on her way to present a memo to the county about a controversial housing development planned just outside the city limits. She was not seriously injured.

The Dade City police said Owens was driving west on Pasco Avenue. She came to a complete stop at a stop sign at the Fifth Street intersection. She did not see an oncoming Mitsubishi Diamante and drove into its path, police said.

The Mitsubishi's driver, Michael Boykin, 39, of Pensacola, was taken to Pasco Regional Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. His condition was not available Thursday evening.

Capt. David Duff, who said he's known Owens for many years, said police issued her a ticket for violating the right of way.

"I can't show any favorites," he said. "You have to do your job."

Police say the Mitsubishi was totaled and Owens' Toyota FJ Cruiser received several thousand dollars in damage.

City officials came to check on Owens after the accident, which occurred just outside City Hall. Interim City Manager Jim Class and Owens' assistant, Karen Traenkner, said they wanted to make sure she was okay.

Bob Shaw, from the city's Public Works Department, stood on the City Hall roof and watched the cleanup.

Owens said her neck was sore and she had bumped her head against the window. Regardless, she caught a ride to the county meeting so she could make her presentation.

Helen Anne Travis can be reached at htravis@sptimes.com or 352 521-6518.

[Last modified January 24, 2008, 21:51:28]