Powell teacher injured in wreck

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 9, 2000

A Powell Middle School science teacher and his passenger were hospitalized in critical condition Saturday after his car crashed into an electric pole in Spring Hill.

Nevin Siefert, 26, an 8th-grade science teacher at the school, was driving north coming out of a bend on Deltona Boulevard north of Amy Circle at 6:50 a.m. Saturday when his 1989 two-door Nissan drove onto the road's east shoulder and slammed into an Withlacoochee River Electric pole, snapping it in half, said Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Gail Rodriguez. The car then spun clockwise to the left.

Siefert, of 6257 Kimball Court in Spring Hill, and his passenger, Michael Morrison, were not wearing seat belts and broke the windshield upon impact, Rodriguez said.

Morrison, 39, of 484 Copperfield Road in Spring Hill, was found lying outside the Nissan's passenger door after the crash with his feet still inside the car, Rodriguez said.

There were no signs that alcohol was connected to the crash, Rodriguez said. The cause of the crash, including the speed of the car when it hit the pole, is still under investigation. Withlacoochee workers were on the scene shortly after the crash to replace the pole, Rodriguez said.

Siefert and Morrison were flown to Bayfront Medical Center, where they were listed in critical condition Saturday.

When called at home, Powell principal Cy Wingrove had not yet heard about the crash but confirmed that Siefert teaches 8th-grade science at the school. He declined further comment before talking to Siefert's family.

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