Teenage girl is injured in water scooter accident

By Times staff writers

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 17, 2000

MADIERA BEACH -- A 15-year-old girl suffered a broken arm, broken ribs and numerous bumps and bruises after the personal watercraft she was riding collided with another water scooter Sunday afternoon.

Melissa Appenzeller, who is visiting from New Jersey, was taken to St. Petersburg General Hospital, according to the Sheriff's Office. Melissa was a passenger on a scooter driven by Thomas Castro, 20, of Clearwater.

When the pair tried to make a quick turn while riding on Boca Ciega Bay, they were hit by another personal watercraft driven by Melissa's 21-year-old sister, Kelly.

Five reported injured in two-vehicle wreck

ST. PETERSBURG -- At least five people were taken to the hospital late Sunday after a two-vehicle accident that caused the Interstate 275 off-ramp at 31st Street S to be closed for more than an hour.

Those injured in the accident, which was reported at 9:47 p.m., were taken to hospitals. At least one person was reported as seriously injured.

Motorcyclist killed in crash; passenger injured

ST. PETERSBURG -- A motorcyclist was killed and his passenger was seriously injured Sunday evening when his motorcycle hit a car and swerved out of control.

The motorcyclist and his passenger were thrown several feet after the collision on Fifth Avenue N with a Pontiac driven by Alton Nelson, 22, of St. Petersburg. Police said neither was wearing a helmet.

St. Petersburg police did not release the name of the motorcyclist or his passenger, who was taken to Bayfront Medical Center.

Nelson and the motorcyclist were heading west on Fifth Avenue N about 6:10 p.m. when the motorcycle swiped the car's passenger side near 30th Street, said Carl Cameron, 21, a passenger in the Pontiac. The motorcycle then swerved onto the sidewalk and brushed a palm tree as the driver tried to regain control.

The motorcycle swerved back on the street and went through a puddle before the driver and passenger were ejected.

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