Motorist struck by car after accident still critical

A sheriff's official says the man yelled at people who tried to help, dropped his pants and made obscene gestures, then was hit by a car while crossing Park Street.

By NATALIE BAUGHMAN and LEON M. TUCKER

© St. Petersburg Times, published October 4, 2000

SEMINOLE -- A motorist remained in critical condition Tuesday after he rear-ended two vehicles, got out of his car and was struck while trying to cross Park Street, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

Lloyd Frank Lovejoy, 36, 6370 104th St. N, Seminole, was driving his 1990 Pontiac Bonneville west on 54th Street erraticly about 8 p.m. Monday, said sheriff's Sgt. Greg Tita.

According to sheriff's reports, Lovejoy hit two vehicles -- a 1996 Ford Ranger on 54th Avenue N and a 1998 Ford Explorer on Park Street -- and then drove around them. Lovejoy's car stopped on the median.

Lovejoy began yelling at witnesses who helped pull him from his car. He then pulled down his pants, made obscene gestures and tried to cross the street when he was hit, said sheriff's spokeswoman Marianne Pasha.

"They found no evidence of alcohol use, but we're still trying to establish where he was and where he was going," Pasha said.

Deputies had not identified the driver or vehicle that struck Lovejoy, but the investigation was continuing.

Lovejoy was flown to Bayfront Medical Center. People in the first vehicle hit were treated for minor injuries. No one else was hurt.

"At this point we're still investigating it as three separate accidents," Tita said. "We're talking to witnesses and piecing together information to determine what set the whole thing into motion."

Sheriff's investigators are asking anyone with information to call Sgt. Tim Pelella at 582-6200.

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