One dead in north Plant City crash
Tampa Bay Times staff
A driver who troopers believe was intoxicated ran a red light and struck a motorcycle on Monday, killing the rider, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Jorge Alberto Mejia Perez, 52, of Plant City was driving a 2000 Nissan Maxima west on Knights Griffin Road approaching State Road 39 just before 4 p.m., troopers said. Robert Eugene Shook, 74, of New Matamoras, Ohio, was riding a 1990 Honda motorcycle north on SR 39 approaching Knights Griffin Road.
Perez ran a red light, troopers said, colliding with Shook, who died at Lakeland Regional Health medical center. Shook was wearing a helmet.
Once troopers and emergency medical personnel arrived, Perez tried to “flee the scene of the crash on foot,” the FHP said. A trooper chased Perez down and took him into custody.
Perez faces charges of driving under the influence with manslaughter, leaving the scene of a crash involving a death and driving with no license involving a death. No blood-alcohol level was released.
Man killed while walking on SR-60
On June 30, a Plant City man was walking along SR-60 in the inside lane at approximately 10:40 p.m. Richard Leon Brooks, 69, was headed southbound across SR-60, west of Edwards Avenue. He traveled into the path of a vehicle, driven by Kelitza Rodriguez-Lopez, which collided with him, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report. He sustained fatal injures and died at the scene, according to the report.
Artists create mural for local restaurant
The East Hillsborough Art Guild is painting a mural inside the courtyard at Bella Mare Ristorante. The restaurant’s owner, Franco Dragonetti, asked the group to create a “nostalgic view of the beautiful sea, ‘bella mare,’ off the coast of Amalfi, according to Betty Jones, publicity director of the art guild.
Work began in June and is estimated to be completed by the end of July. Loretta Burns and Colleen Justin, both members of the guild, designed the mural and six of the EHAG’s artists are working as a team to complete the mural. The Lions Club of Plant City donated the paint.
The EHAG is inviting the public to meet the artists and observe the work. The group is working Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. There are plans for a grand reveal once the painting is completed.
Strawberry Youth Parade board member passes torch
Gresham Stephens, 18, served as a board member for the Strawberry Youth Parade. He is headed to Mississippi State University in the fall and his 14-year-old sister, Mary-Catherine Stephens, will take his place on the board for a two-year term.
The Civitan Club was the original organizer of the Youth Parade until it disbanded in 2016. Thus, the 2017 parade was operated without its aid for the first time.
The 2018 parade will be held March 3. It goes down Alexander Street and ends at the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds.
Residents rally behind gas station struck by lightning
The Mobil gas station at 2203 S. Alexander St. was struck by lightning last week, causing the store to go without gas for three days. The store is a family-owned and operated business. People posted on Facebook about the incident, asking locals to help combat the loss of revenue by stopping by for gas and food.
Hundreds have interacted with the post and many are vowing to not only stop in, but to make it their go-to gas station. The owner’s daughter, Victoria Robinson, also posted in the comments to thank people for their support and understanding.
I-4 accident involves members of Atlanta Braves organization
On July 5 at approximately 9:34 a.m., a motorcade driven by Donald Kales, 49, was traveling westbound on Interstate 4 approaching Thonotosassa Road. The vehicle held 25 members of the Atlanta Braves organization, the Gulf Coast Rookie league. A Chevrolet Malibu, driven by Liberato Saroca, 49, had been involved in a prior collision and was stopped in the middle of the road.
Kales was unable to control and stop the motorcade and it collided with the rear of Saroca’s car, causing a minor collision. Nona Saroca, 52, was in the passenger seat of the Malibu and was taken to South Florida Baptist hospital for minor injuries from the first crash. When the trooper arrived the cars had been moved to the side of the road and no lanes were shut down. Kales was ticketed for careless driving.