Tampa Bay briefs

By Times staff writers

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 3, 2000

St. Petersburg man charged with DUI-manslaughter

ST. PETERSBURG -- Police have charged a St. Petersburg man with driving under the influence-manslaughter after his van struck a car and killed another driver instantly Tuesday evening.

Raymond Bahling, 46, whose Dodge Ram hit a Cadillac driven by Stephen Hasbrouck, has been charged with driving under the influence in Pinellas County twice before, once in 1982 and then again in 1987. It was unclear Wednesday how those charges were resolved.

According to police, Bahling was speeding north on Interstate 275 when he struck a guardrail. His van lost a tire, but Bahling continued speeding, exiting the highway at 22nd Avenue N. The van did not stop at the end of the exit ramp, but instead went over a concrete median and crossed eastbound traffic on 22nd Avenue N.

The van then hit the center median and flew into the air, hitting the Cadillac, which was stopped at a red light.

Hasbrouck, 56, of St. Petersburg was killed instantly. Bahling, of 4660 24th St. N, was taken to Bayfront Medical Center for treatment. Hospital officials said he is in serious condition.

Police: Brandon youths' plan was to dine, dash

BRANDON -- The two burglars had a plan: Break into a house they knew was unoccupied, have Pizza Hut deliver, then run out the back door without paying.

It must have sounded like a good plan to the 13-year-old boy and his 9-year-old accomplice.

They told the delivery person they'd be right back, then shut the front door behind them and made their escape Thursday, Hillsborough sheriff's officials said.

Deputies caught up with them at their home not long after the 11:15 a.m. delivery to the house on Axelwood Circle in Brandon. They recovered pizza boxes and clothing taken from the house. Still missing are 150 compact discs that were taken.

The two suspects were arrested and taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center. Both face charges of burglary and petty theft. Their names are being withheld because of their age.

Arson suspected as cause of fire in vacant home

ST. PETERSBURG -- Fire officials suspect arson in a fire that caused about $10,000 worth of damage at a vacant home Wednesday.

Neighbors said the owners were trying to sell the house, at 2227 Harbor Drive S, and it had been empty for several months.

According to St. Petersburg Fire and Rescue Lt. Chris Bengivengo, firefighters believe the blaze was set outside the home in a pile of newspapers. Flames climbed the exterior wall of the home before the house's roof caught fire.

The fire was spotted by a passerby, who alerted neighbors to the smoke and flames. Bengivengo said there were no witnesses to the fire, and police have no suspects so far.

Pasco County accident kills woman, injures child

ZEPHYRHILLS -- A Zephyrhills woman was killed and her 5-year-old passenger was critically injured Wednesday morning when her Jeep Cherokee was struck head-on by an out-of-control pickup truck, the Florida Highway Patrol reported.

The crash occurred at 6:45 a.m. as Michelle Diane Raines drove south on Morris Bridge Road, FHP reported.

Maurice Harris, heading north at the same time in his 1988 Toyota pickup, failed to negotiate a curve near Mandrake Road, overcorrected and veered across the center line, said FHP Cpl. Les Douberley. Raines was unable to avoid the collision, Douberley said.

Raines, 31, of 6053 20th St., was pronounced dead an hour later at East Pasco Medical Center. The 5-year-old boy in the Jeep with her, Keifer Sullivan, and Harris, 27, were flown to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa in critical condition.

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