Deputies from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) are investigating a crash that occurred shortly after 3 p.m. on Thursday, January 14, 2021.
The crash killed 54 year-old Kimberly Watson of Madeira Beach who, according to investigators, was riding her Jupiter electric bicycle on the sidewalk, on the eastside of Gulf Boulevard. She was traveling southbound approaching the business entrance/exit of Sinbad’s Big Treasure Chest home goods store.
Investigators say at the same time, 61-year-old Robert Ragusa of Tampa was driving his 2012 Ford F-150 westbound in the business parking lot and was preparing to exit onto Gulf Boulevard when Watson crossed into his path. The crash resulted in Ragusa’s Ford F-150 striking Watson on her bicycle in the parking lot exit.
Watson was transported to St. Petersburg General Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased at 3:42 p.m. on Thursday, January 14, 2021. Her next of kin was notified.
Ragusa was not injured and remained at the scene during the investigation.
It does not appear that speed or impairment are factors in the crash, according to police.
The investigation continues.