Tampa Bay briefs

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 13, 2000

Woman found shot dead in Citrus County home

INVERNESS -- Citrus County sheriff's deputies were investigating the death of a woman who may have been shot with an old-fashioned, muzzle-loading gun Sunday in a home near the Withlacoochee State Forest.

The Sheriff's Office withheld the name of the 49-year-old woman late Sunday pending notification of her family. Deputies were treating the death as a homicide, said Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Ronda Hemminger Evan.

Investigators were questioning Ralph Wade Dixon, 54, who lives at 2354 E Daybreak Lane south of Inverness, the address where the woman was found. Dixon had not been charged with any crime late Sunday.

Evan said Dixon notified the Sheriff's Office shortly before 6 p.m. She declined to divulge the relationship between Dixon and the woman, or whether she lived at the address, but said her death was thought to be the result of a domestic dispute.

As Dixon was held for questioning, deputies were trying to secure a search warrant for the concrete block home.

Evan said investigators were still unsure of the weapon used in the woman's death but said it may be a muzzleloader, an old-style gun still used by hunters in which the ammunition is packed down the barrel by using a steel rod.

Girl injured after running in front of motorcycle

SEMINOLE -- A 7-year-old girl was injured about 5 p.m. Sunday when she darted into the path of a motorcycle driven by her neighbor, officials said.

Sarah E. Bain of 9005 Fairweather Drive received minor injuries to her head and neck and was taken by helicopter to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg as a precaution, rescue workers said.

Marc E. Barese, 33, was heading west at 15 to 20 mph when Sarah ran out from her yard, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Barese, of 9051 Fairweather Drive, tried to avoid hitting the girl but couldn't, officials said.

Barese and his passenger Charles Serrano, 11, were uninjured, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

No charges were filed in the accident.

Motorist dies after collision with tow truck

ST. PETERSBURG -- A man died after the car he was driving collided with a tow truck Sunday. The identities of the drivers, who were both taken to Bayfront Medical Center, were not available late Sunday. Rescue workers and police closed the intersection of 16th Street and First Avenue N after the collision, reported at 8:12 p.m. The driver died at the hospital. The condition of the driver of the tow truck, which had minor damage, was unknown, but rescue workers said his injuries were not as serious.

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