Tampa Bay briefs

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 3, 2000

ST. PETERSBURG -- A Safety Harbor man was in fair condition at Bayfront Medical Center on Sunday, a day after crashing his personal watercraft into a channel marker. Chris Palmieri, 23, of 42 Harbor Lake Circle, had owned the 1999 Kawasaki only a few hours before the accident. On Saturday, sheriff's deputies said Palmieri suffered internal injuries and possibly a broken pelvis. The accident occurred when Palmieri accelerated away from the dock at a high speed and crashed into a channel marker about 100 yards away.

Authorities seek suspect in fatal hit-run on U.S. 19

PALM HARBOR -- A hit-and-run driver killed a 20-year-old Silver Springs man on U.S. 19 early Saturday, authorities said. James Faron Busick was walking across U.S. 19 south of Beacon Groves Boulevard when he was hit by a vehicle heading south in the right lane. The vehicle moved to the shoulder and then continued southbound on U.S. 19. The Florida Highway Patrol is searching for the driver.

Tampa woman raped in her apartment

TAMPA -- Hillsborough County sheriff's detectives are looking for a man who broke into a woman's apartment on Fletcher Avenue early Sunday and raped her.

Sgt. Harold Winsett said the suspect forced his way into an apartment at the Sunscape Apartments at Fletcher and 15th Street about 4 a.m. He would not say if he had a weapon.

The woman was treated for minor injuries.

The suspect is described as about 5 foot 9, wearing a maroon pullover shirt and dark pants.

Chest injuries cause death of cyclist without helmet

ST. PETERSBURG -- A motorcyclist who was not wearing a helmet died in a crash Saturday night, the first day that it was again legal to drive without a helmet in Florida. His death, however, was caused by massive chest injuries. "Not wearing the helmet did not cause his death," said Karen Owens, a dispatcher with the St. Petersburg Police Department. The accident occurred at 11:25 p.m. Saturday while the man was riding his 2000 Yamaha motorcycle, traveling north on Fourth Street N near 38th Avenue N. The driver of a 1992 Mazda van traveling south on Fourth Street N made a left turn in front of the motorcycle. The front of the motorcycle struck the front of the van, ejecting the motorcyclist. The driver of the van, Joshua J. Licht, 20, 980 Eden Isle Drive NE, was not injured. The motorcyclist was taken to Bayfront Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 11:47 p.m. Authorities withheld his identity.

St. Petersburg man held in rape attempt

ST. PETERSBURG -- A 37-year-old St. Petersburg man is accused of kidnapping a woman, threatening her at gunpoint and attempting to rape her. According to arrest reports, the man, Thomas Eugene Newkirk, forced the woman into his car early Sunday near 18th Avenue S and 48th Street, threatening to kill her. Police say he then drove her to 16th Avenue S near 36th Street, where he tore off her clothes and tried to have sex with her. He also threatened her with a Smith & Wesson .38-caliber revolver during the attack, according to reports. Newkirk is being held at the Pinellas County Jail on $30,000 bail.

Boy on bike hit by car while crossing street

CLEARWATER -- An 11-year-old boy was seriously injured Sunday afternoon when he was hit by a 1990 Oldsmobile while trying to ride his bicycle across Drew Street. Adrian Anderson of 2918 Drew St., Apt. 214, was riding his bicycle to a nearby Target store about 1 p.m. when he was hit by the car driven by Bernard Stanton, 83, of 2075 N Highland Ave., Apt. 1, according to Clearwater police. Adrian was taken by helicopter to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg and was listed in critical condition. No charges have been filed. The investigation is continuing.

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