Clearwater Police and Clearwater Fire & Rescue responded to the scene of a crash involving a skateboarder and a crane truck.
The crash occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. on Friday, February 17, 2023 in the westbound lanes of Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard near Old Coachman Road.
The skateboarder sustained life-threatening
injuries and was taken to a Morton Plant Hospital where he later died.
The pedestrian was identified as 19-year-old, Isaiah Edward Baker Castellano of Clearwater.
The driver of the crane truck was 35-year-old Leoyans Lopez Diaz. He was headed west on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard at Old Coachman Road when he ran a red light and struck Castellano, who was on a skateboard in the crosswalk and crossing on a green light.
No signs of impairment were detected, and the
driver of the crane truck cooperated with investigators. The investigation continues.
Westbound lanes of Gulf-to-Bay are closed from U.S. 19 to Old Coachman Road until approximately 10:40 a.m.
