Tampa Bay briefs

By Times staff writers

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 3, 2001

Hospital helicopter grounded after power loss

TAMPA -- An emergency helicopter used by Tampa General Hospital was grounded Saturday night after losing generator power, Tampa police said.

About 11:10 p.m., the helicopter was responding to a one-car accident at N Amberly Drive and Tampa Palms Boulevard in which a woman suffered a pelvic fracture.

The helicopter was forced to the ground in the southbound turn lane of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard after a light indicated one of the generators was losing power, said hospital spokesman John Dunn. Federal Aviation Administration rules say both generators must be operational at all times, he said.

The victim was transported by a rescue car to University Community Hospital. Police did not provide her name. She was listed in stable condition early Sunday.

Tampa man charged with carjacking and fleeing

TAMPA -- Minutes after carjacking a vehicle Sunday, a 44-year-old Tampa man was arrested when he crashed the car while fleeing Florida Highway Patrol troopers, authorities said.

About 7:50 a.m., Robert Hicks entered the car of Walter Thomas, stopped at a red light at 21st Street and Columbus Drive, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said.

Hicks demanded money from the 70-year-old Thomas, then struck him and pushed him out of the car, authorities said.

Soon after, Hicks ran into a highway patrol road check. When asked for his license, Hicks sped north on Morris Bridge and was caught after crashing the car south of Fowler Avenue, FHP Sgt. J.A. Williams said.

Hicks is being held without bail at the Hillsborough County Jail on Orient Road. He faces several charges, including carjacking, breaking and entering an auto, cocaine possession, fleeing and eluding, drunken driving, DUI with property damage or injury, driving without a valid driver's license, leaving the scene of a crash and resisting arrest.

One killed, six injured in three-car accident

BRADENTON -- A 24-year-old Sarasota man was killed and six people were injured Sunday in a three-car accident on Interstate 75.

The driver's northbound Mitsubishi went out of control, crossed a grassy median and veered into the southbound lanes, the Florida Highway Patrol said. The Mitsubishi collided head-on with a Ford Expedition, driven by James Michael Walker, 38, of Gibsonton. The collision caused both vehicles to rotate counterclockwise, with the back of the Ford lifting up and landing on a Buick driven by Dale McDonald Hammack, 73, of Palmetto. The identity of the driver killed in the accident was not available.

Three medical helicopters were called for the accident and I-75 was closed for 30 minutes.

Walker was taken to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg and was listed in critical condition. A passenger, Crystal Walker, 25, was in serious condition at Manatee Memorial Hospital. Two others, James Michael Walker Jr., 8, and 2-month-old Christopher Walker, suffered minor injuries.

Hammack was taken to Manatee Memorial Hospital and was listed in serious condition. His passenger, Ruth Houck, 80, of Ellenton, also was taken to Manatee Memorial with minor injuries.

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