Orlando woman dies, 4 hurt in SR 54 wreck

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 6, 2001

ODESSA -- A 38-year-old Orlando woman was killed in a head-on collision on State Road 54 Saturday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Kirtaben R. Patel died after the car in which she was a passenger slid sideways and collided with a Honda driven by Paul V. Curcio, 22, of Palm Harbor. Curcio suffered serious injuries, according to a FHP news release.

Also in the car with Patel were three other people with the same last name, but their relationships could not be established Saturday night.

The driver, Bhanuben Patel, 44, also of Orlando, suffered serious injuries. Kirh Patel, 6, was critically injured and Kirtis S. Patel, 8, suffered minor injuries, the FHP said.

Curcio was in serious condition Saturday night at Bayfront Medical Center and Bhanuben Patel was in fair condition. No conditions were available on the children Saturday night.

Pasco sheriff's deputies closed a 5-mile stretch of SR 54 as they worked the wreck. Curcio's car, a white 2000 Honda Civic, overturned and was totaled, according to the FHP. The vehicle in which the Patels were riding, a 1998 Nissan, also was destroyed.

The FHP was investigating, and no charges had been filed by Saturday night.

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