FHP Seeking Hit-And-Run Driver After Seriously Injuring 5 On US Hwy 19
March 1, 2015
Five people in one vehicle were seriously injured last night at about 10:19 AM near the intersection of US Hwy 19 and Republic Drive in Palm Harbor.
Crews from many local agencies worked to extricate all the occupants of a 2015 GMC Yukon for almost an hour. According to Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), 59 year-old Reda Landcaster of Tampa, was traveling southbound on US Hwy 19, slowing in the inside center lane for a yellow traffic signal at Republic Drive. A 2005 Ford F150 was traveling southbound in the inside center lane of US Hwy 19, north of Republic Drive.
The driver of the F150 failed to stop and struck the rear of the Yukon causing it to be propelled through the intersection. The F150 continued southbound until stopping along the exit ramp to SR-580 from US Hwy 19.
According to FHP Public Affairs Officer Sergeant Steve Gaskins, the driver of the F150, described as a 30-40 year old Hispanic Male, 5’11’ and 170 pounds, fled on foot. He left his uninjured passenger, 30 year-old Isauro Bonilla-Ramierz of Dunedin in the F150.
The seriously injured passengers in the GMC Yukon have been identified as 52 year-old Shalia Williams of Tampa, 50 year-old Beverly Harvin of Tampa, 51 year-old Phyllis Kahan of St. Petersburg, and 41 year-old Twanda Poole of Columbus, Mississippi.
Anyone with information regarding this crash or the identity of the driver of the Ford F150 is asked to contact the FHP by calling 813-631-4020.
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