Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
A witness said the bicycle rider had been drinking alcohol before the Tuesday accident on U.S. 301.
By BRADY DENNIS
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 7, 2001
ZEPHYRHILLS -- In the battle of bicycle versus semitrailer truck, the semi always wins.
Russell Lillian learned that lesson the hard way Tuesday afternoon, according to Pasco County Sheriff's deputies.
Deputies said a semi, without a trailer, was heading south on U.S. 301, near where the road splits with State Road 39.
They said Lillian also was riding his bike south on the shoulder of the road when he swung left in front of the semi to turn in to a Cumberland Farms convenience store.
"I didn't even have time to blow my horn," said Danny Shane Delvalle, who was driving home to Brandon after delivering water to Lakeland for the Zephyrhills Spring Water Co. "My first thought was that I had killed him. I've never even had an accident."
Lillian was flown by helicopter to either Tampa General Hospital or St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa. Officials weren't sure which one. His injuries were not considered life threatening.
Alcohol apparently played a role in the accident.
"We were coming from the Anchor Bar," said Wayne Burns, 47, who was riding his bike alongside Lillian. "He had drank four pitchers of beer. It's probably what saved his life. He didn't even realize how bad he'd been hurt."
Deputies and a Florida Highway Patrol trooper said they weren't sure yet if Lillian would be cited in the incident. But they weren't ruling it out.
"No matter what you are driving, you've got to stay sober," Lt. Bruce Schmelter said.