 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Biker charged in fatal accident
By Times staff writer © St. Petersburg Times, published September 5, 2000 TAMPA -- Sheriff's deputies have charged a 31-year-old Valrico man with DUI manslaughter after his wife died in a motorcycle accident a week ago today. Investigators said Larry Francher was driving a 1984 Kawasaki Ninja at excessive speed and with a blood-alcohol content of 0.175 shortly after 1:30 a.m. on Aug. 29 when he crashed into a parked sheriff's deputy's car on State Road 60 east of Dover Road. Crystal Francher, 27, was pronounced dead at the scene. Lt. Bill Davis was not injured in the early morning accident. Larry Francher was taken to Tampa General Hospital, where he was first listed in serious condition. Neither passenger was wearing a helmet. Investigators said a blood test later revealed Larry Francher was driving with a blood-alcohol content level of 0.175, far more than the level of 0.08 at which the law presumes a driver is impaired. Larry Francher of 303 Silverhill Road was charged upon his release Monday with DUI manslaughter, DUI property damage and a misdemeanor charge of operating the vehicle without a motorcycle endorsement on his driver's license. He was taken to Hillsborough County Jail, where he remained after failing to post $8,600 bail. Deputies said Davis was on patrol when he stopped his unmarked 2000 Ford Taurus in the left lane to remove tire debris. They said he switched on the car's emergency lights and was moving the debris when a semitrailer truck approached from the rear. Davis waved the truck around with a flashlight. Investigators said Larry Francher was speeding on his motorcycle when he hit the stopped patrol car.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
|
