TAMPA -- An 18-year-old motorist died Thursday evening after the Ford Explorer he was driving crossed the median on Gandy Boulevard, veered into oncoming traffic and was struck by another vehicle.

Because relatives had not been contacted, police did not release his name Thursday night.

A married couple in the Dodge Durango that struck the Explorer broadside were taken to Tampa General Hospital. Their names were not released by police.

The accident caused the eastbound lanes on the Gandy Bridge to be closed for several hours Thursday night as police investigated. Eastbound traffic was being turned back near the Derby Lane greyhound track in Pinellas County.

Officer Michael Boots said the accident happened about 6 p.m. as the Explorer traveled west on Gandy. For unknown reasons, it veered across the median into the eastbound lanes just after it passed the intersection at West Shore Boulevard, Boots said.

The couple in the Durango were traveling east and towing a 16-foot fishing boat on a trailer. The boat and the trailer ended up in the middle of the road. Several passersby pushed them out of the traffic lanes before police arrived, Boots said.

St. Petersburg to sell paint, tools, other items

ST. PETERSBURG -- Unused warehouse supplies -- cans of paint, lawn sprinklers, PVC pipe, hand tools, hardware and electrical supplies -- will be some of the items available for purchase from 2 to 6 p.m. today and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Additional items for sale include used desks, chairs, tables, street banners, computer parts, office equipment and city logo items. The sale will be at the city of St. Petersburg's Consolidated Warehouse, 290 16th St. N.

All items will be sold as is, and there are no returns. Customers may pay with cash, check, MasterCard or Visa. For information, call 551-3000.

Police arrest suspect in four store robberies

ST. PETERSBURG -- A 20-year-old St. Petersburg man was arrested Thursday and charged with armed robbery and as a felon in possession of a firearm.

Timothy Iron Smith, of 730 29th St. S, is suspected of robbing four stores between June 20 and Wednesday, police said.

Wal-Mart at 3993 Tyrone Blvd. N and Burdines at Tyrone Square Mall were among the businesses held up at knifepoint or gunpoint, police said.

Police found Smith on Wednesday night after they spotted a stolen Mercury Mountaineer at Central Avenue and 34th Street. Smith ran from detectives when he saw them approaching. He was found hiding in a large garbage container.

Smith is being held in the Pinellas County Jail in lieu of $130,000 bail.

Applications sought for appellate court slots

Applications are being sought to fill two seats on the state's 2nd District Court of Appeal. Applicants must be residents of the district, which covers 14 counties, including Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough and Manatee. Applicants also must be registered voters and members of the Florida Bar for the past 10 years. Application forms are available from F. Wallace Pope Jr., 911 Chestnut St., Clearwater, FL, 33757-1368. Ten copies of the completed application must be received no later than 5 p.m. July 31. The forms also are available on the Florida Bar Web site: www.flabar.org. For information, call F. Wallace Pope, (727) 461-1818.

MacDill general takes post in Washington, D.C.

TAMPA -- After two years in charge of MacDill Air Force Base, Brig. Gen. Chip Diehl, base wing commander, will become the director of marketing for the U.S. Air Force in Washington, D.C.

Brig. Gen. William W. "Wayne" Hodges, the current director of plans and programs at Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, will assume control of MacDill in a ceremony Aug. 1.

In addition to overseeing improvements to aircraft programs at the base, Diehl established critical ties to the community. The base was a key player in Super Bowl XXXV festivities, hosting a televised Ricky Martin concert.

The base's role with the game garnered it national attention and sparked an investigation by the Inspector General's Office, which is reviewing how MacDill supported the Super Bowl with taxpayer money and government resources.

Vehicles collide, leaving girl, 10, seriously injured

TAMPA -- A 10-year-old girl was seriously injured Thursday after a sport utility vehicle she was riding in turned into the path of an oncoming truck.

Jade Bennett, of 3732 Pate Road in Zephyrhills, was taken to Tampa General Hospital after the accident at about 8:50 a.m. She was in critical condition Thursday night.

Kelly Ann Zimmer, 37, of 39672 Meadowood Loop in Zephyrhills, and her 6-month old daughter, Paige, also were taken to the hospital. Paige's injuries were minor, and her mother was in fair condition Thursday night.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Zimmer had been driving a 2001 Ford Explorer south on U.S. 301 and was trying to turn left onto McIntosh Road. The truck's driver, Scott Montney, 42, of 10209 Tanner Road in Tampa, was not injured.

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