Driver dies in crash on Frankland Bridge

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 30, 2000

TAMPA -- A Bradenton man heading south on the Howard Frankland Bridge died early Saturday when his 1991 Honda crashed into a truck.

The Florida Highway Patrolman identified the dead man as Charles M. Detore, 32, of 601 34th St. W, Apt. 26H, in Bradenton.

The FHP said Detore was speeding when he hit the back of a 1994 International truck about 2:40 a.m. Saturday.

The truck was driven by Robert E. White, 41, of 9307 Dartmouth Ave. in Tampa. White was southbound at about 60 mph.

No charges were filed.

Police investigate death of man in Clearwater

CLEARWATER -- A 39-year-old man was found dead early Saturday in a Clearwater apartment, authorities said. It is the second death in as many days under investigation by the Clearwater police.

The man, whose name was not released, suffered from an upper body trauma, said Capt. Jeff Patterson. Police found the body after receiving a 911 call to the apartment at 10071/2 N Osceola Ave. at 3:43 a.m., Patterson said.

Friday morning, police received a 911 call from someone who had found the body of a 31-year-old woman near the Rio Motel at 1488 Gulf-to-Bay Blvd.

The woman also suffered from an upper body trauma. Authorities ruled her death a homicide Saturday but did not release her name.

Patterson said police believe the two cases are unrelated and are still under investigation.

2 tots rescued at pools in separate incidents

PINELLAS PARK -- An 18-month-old boy was rescued Saturday after falling into a dirty swimming pool, firefighters said.

The child was at a home at 5331 96th Ter. N with several teenagers, but no adults were there, said Pinellas Park Fire Lt. Nick Reale. One of the teens saw the child sinking in the murky green pool and pulled him out.

When rescue workers arrived shortly after noon, the boy was breathing, vomiting and crying. He was taken to All Children's Hospital. His name and medical condition weren't available.

Firefighters didn't know how long the child was in the water, but Reale said that if he had sunk to the bottom, it would have been impossible to see him.

"It was a very dark green, algae-filled pool," Reale said.

In Clearwater, the father of a 2-year-old pulled him from a swimming pool at 300 Kilmer Ave. shortly after noon, authorities said. The child was swimming in the above-ground pool with an older child, said Clearwater Fire Lt. Paul Revelia. The 2-year-old was wearing swimming floats on his arms, but took them off and sank.

The other child screamed for help and the father rescued the toddler, Revelia said. He was breathing and conscious when paramedics arrived and was taken to Morton Plant Hospital.

19-year-old driver killed in car wreck

SEMINOLE -- A Seminole 19-year-old was killed early Saturday after he lost control of his car and hit a tree, authorities said.

Justin Daniel Miller, who lived at 9182 85th Ave. N, died after the 3 a.m. crash at Starkey Road and Bardmoor Place, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

The FHP said Miller was driving north on Starkey at high speed when he tried to turn into the Bardmoor subdivision. He ran off the road and hit a tree with the driver's-side door of his 1994 Infiniti. Miller, who had been wearing his seat belt, was pronounced dead shortly after 4:15 a.m. at Largo Medical Center.

Three passengers in the car -- Heather Anderson, 19; Ralph Reyes, 19; and Jeffery Reyes, 17 -- had minor injuries. They all live near Miller in the Seminole Pines neighborhood near Starkey Elementary School.

The accident remains under investigation. Any witnesses are asked to call FHP Cpl. Frank Burke at 570-5010, ext. 311.

Power outage darkens part of Treasure Island

About 900 households and businesses were in the dark Saturday night because of a power outage on the northern end of Treasure Island.

Florida Power officials said the outage was caused by a problem with a main underground power line. The outage began about 10 p.m. and was expected to be fixed within a few hours.

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