Largo Motorist Killed After Striking a Metal Pole at Family Dollar on Belcher Road
86 year-old Madge L. Gilbert of Largo died in a vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 11 a.m. on Friday, June 9, 2017.
The crash was in the 13600 block of Belcher Road just north of Ulmerton Rd.
According to Florida Highway Patrol, Gilbert was traveling in a 2005 Mercury Marquis and exited the Family Dollar store at 13625 South Belcher Road and turned right into the northbound left turn lane of Belcher Road.
A 47 year-old Largo man driving a 2002 Mercury Sable was stopped in the driveway at 13777 South Belcher Road facing west at the intersection with Belcher Road.
Troopers say Gilbert traveled north in the northbound left turn lane and proceeded to make a U-turn at the median crossing in front of 13777 South Belcher Road.
As she made the U-turn, the Sable turned left into the inside southbound lane of Belcher Road. Gilbert completed her U-turn then attempted to enter the inside southbound lane of Belcher Road and struck the right side of the Sable with its front left.
Gilbert’s vehicle then accelerated and traveled southeast across the median and northbound lanes of Belcher Road.
The Sable traveled southeast across the median and entered the northbound left turn lane of Belcher Road after being struck by the Marquis. It then crossed the median again and came to rest facing west across the southbound lanes of Belcher Road.
Gilbert continued to travel southeast, entering the Family Dollar parking lot where it struck a metal pole and came to final rest.
Crews from Largo Fire Rescue worked to extricate Gilbert from the heavily damaged vehicle and requested an air transport due to the extent of her injuries. She was transported by Sunstar Paramedics to Bayflite which landed north of the crash location.
Gilbert later died from her injuries at Bayfront Health St. Petersburg.
Troopers say Gilbert was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and no charges are pending.