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A homecoming toast for teen
By LEON M. TUCKER © St. Petersburg Times, published April 28, 2001 PINELLAS PARK -- Though the breathing tube implanted in Angela Bernardini's throat doesn't allow her to speak above a whisper, the 17-year-old has a lot to say about the past three months.
"I just couldn't wait to come home," the Largo High School senior said. "God already let me live three times, so I thought I might as well keep going." Angela's homecoming was a long time in the making for friends and family who fussed over her and showered her with cards filled with cash and good wishes. "It was hard because before this I spent every day with her," said Angela's boyfriend, Bobby Strange. "And then it went from that to her being in the hospital. "I'm just thankful she made it." Many of her well-wishers wore T-shirts with Angela's senior portrait on the front and a message on the back that read: "Don't be stupid. Don't drink and drive." "It's been a roller-coaster ride from the depths of hell to a pure miracle," said Debra Strange, Bobby's mother. "We didn't think this day would ever come." Robert Lee Knowles remained at the Pinellas County Jail Friday, held in lieu of $118,500 bail for the Jan. 12 crash that doctors say will leave Angela with limited memory and motor skills. Knowles ran a red light, was driving without a license and was under the influence of alcohol when when his car slammed into Angela at Missouri Avenue and Belleair Road in Clearwater, Clearwater police have said. Tests showed Knowles had a blood-alcohol level of 0.13, prompting authorities to charge him with two counts of DUI with serious injury. Angela's mother, Tina Pellegrino, said she has not given much thought to the man who police hold responsible for the tragedy. "I just know he's in jail," she said. "I'm just happy she's still here and I'm grateful to everybody that has helped us." Friends and strangers alike have helped Angela and her mother by donating money for bills during the teen's recovery. A February fundraiser was organized by a friend of Angela's family at the Drew Street Station in Clearwater. Pellegrino has not worked since the crash. Yellow, white and purple balloons and streamers hung in the trees and around the yard, greeting Angela and her friends who dropped by during the day. Patrick Camp, 16, rode his new Suzuki 600 motorcycle to the party to show to Angela. "Everybody's shocked that she had already come home and is doing that good," the Largo High senior said. But for Angela's friends, the moment was bittersweet. When a reporter asked Patrick what his last name was, Angela stepped in and answered for him. "Edwards," she said, before she made her way back inside the house. "You don't know how to really react to her because she is a little different and we have to take it slow," said Jonathan McKinney, 18. "We just want her to know we're all here for her." Anyone wishing to help Angela Bernardini's mother with expenses can make donations at local First Union bank branches. Donors should ask to make a donation in either Angela's name or her mother's. People wanting to donate also can send checks to the attention of Lydia Harless at Largo High School, 410 Missouri Ave., Largo, FL 33770. - Information from Times files was used in this report.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
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From the Times North Pinellas desks |
