Bay News 9 editor killed in car crash

The woman's husband, also in the SUV, said his wife swerved to avoid another vehicle. Her two children suffered minor injuries.

By ERIC STIRGUS

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 25, 2001

LARGO -- Annie Reina Earle had an easy laugh and infectious smile that won the love of her husband and made the Bay News 9 promotions writer/editor a favorite in the newsroom.

Co-workers were looking forward to welcoming Earle back on Tuesday after her weekend trip to New York City for her cousin's wedding. Instead, they were jolted by a telephone call from her husband.

Earle died Sunday in a car accident in South Carolina. The Largo mother of two boys was four months pregnant. Her 34th birthday would have been Wednesday.

"The sad part is she was wonderful in every way," said Julie Booth, assistant news director at the television station. "She was the kind of person you'd want your children to grow up to be."

Earle was driving the family's Ford Explorer on Interstate 95 in Dillon, S.C., about 12:50 p.m. Sunday when she steered the vehicle into the left lane to pass a van, according to her husband, William, who was a passenger. The van drive apparently did not see the Explorer and veered into the left lane, causing Earle to drive the vehicle into the center median, her husband said.

As Earle attempted to drive back on the two-lane highway, the back tires jerked in the opposite direction of the front tires, causing the vehicle to spin out of control, her husband said. His next recollection of the accident was lying face up on the grassy median, being treated by paramedics.

Earle was taken to a local hospital where doctors told her husband she suffered massive head injuries, and that the prognosis was not good. The couple's two sons, Zackery, 4, and Noah, 2, needed some stitches, but they did not have any broken bones. Earle died from her injuries at 3:48 p.m.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol is still investigating the incident.

"I'm still in shock," William Earle, 45, said Wednesday afternoon. "It's hard to have somebody you love yanked away from you."

The couple, who had been married for six years, met at TCI Cablevision where they both edited and produced television commercials for the company. Earle had a similar role at Bay News 9, where she worked since March. She wrote and edited promotions for Weather on the Nines and Neighborhood News.

A talented and creative woman, Earle spent much of her time away from work writing screenplays. Born in the Philippines, she had begun work on a novel about Filipino family traditions patterned after the movie The Joy Luck Club.

"She took a lot of pride in what she did," said fellow promotions writer/editor Mike Featherstone.

Her other joy was her children. Co-workers said her desk was adorned with photos of Zackery and Noah. She constantly talked about taking morning swims with the boys.

"A wonderful mother," her husband said. "Two great kids. I'm glad for the six years that we had."

Earle hoped for a girl this time. The couple had planned to go to the doctor in a couple of weeks to get an ultrasound test to determine the baby's sex.

"It's a sad story getting sadder," Booth said.

Moss Feaster Funeral Home, 693 S. Belcher Road, Clearwater, is having a visitation from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday. A funeral Mass is scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Espiritu Santo Catholic Church, 2405 Philippe Parkway, Safety Harbor.

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