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By Times staff writers
© St. Petersburg Times, published June 26, 2001
Woman in critical condition after being struck by 2 cars
TAMPA -- A 54-year-old woman who was hit by two cars remained in critical condition late Monday at Tampa General Hospital.
The woman was struck shortly after 11 p.m. Saturday as she crossed N Nebraska Avenue, Tampa police reports said. Her name was being withheld pending notification of her relatives.
Reports show that Sharay Johnson, 20, of St. Petersburg was driving the first car that hit the woman. Johnson saw the woman crossing at Nebraska and Richmere Street and tried to stop but could not, reports said.
After the woman fell, she was struck again by a vehicle driven by James Coleman, 22, of Tampa, reports said.
No charges had been filed against either driver Monday.
ZEPHYRHILLS -- Paul Norman, president of East Pasco Medical Center, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his Lake Bernadette home Sunday afternoon, authorities said.
He was 45.
The tragedy left hospital employees mourning and friends praising Norman as a humanitarian. The community was left with more questions than answers.
"It's an overwhelming shock to all of us," said hospital spokesman Jerry Sterner. "It's just very hard to understand. This was positively, totally unexpected."
About 60 staff members met in a first-floor conference room Monday morning. Some of them stood with bowed heads, some shed tears.
TEMPLE TERRACE -- An 81-year-old man was found floating face-down in a swimming pool Monday afternoon.
Roy E. Ecklund drowned sometime before 4:30 p.m., officials said. Ecklund rented a room in a house at 8011 Cardinal Drive. The homeowner returned home to find Ecklund floating in the pool they shared.
Detectives are investigating the incident and an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death. Officials said no foul play was suspected.