Fatal crashes mar Thanksgiving; one may be DUI-related

Friday, November 27, 2009

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A 21-year-old man died in a crash on U.S. 301 Thursday night.

BAY AREA (Bay News 9) -- The holiday roads turned deadly Thanksgiving night.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 21-year-old man died when his car went off the road and hit a tree.

The accident happened on U.S. 301 north of Ranch Road near the Pasco-Hillsborough county line.

Officials identified the victim as James David Birk of Land O' Lakes. Birk died at Florida Hospital of Zephyrhills.

Tampa

Also, Tampa police said a driver in a Ford Taurus pulled out in front of a car last night at north 34th Street and east Ellicott Street, causing another crash.

Deadly crashes

The driver that pulled out, 49-year-old Betty Jean Tolbert, was killed in the crash.

James Canadiate, 29, was driving the other vehicle, an Infinity J30.

All three occupants of the Infinity, including Canadiate's pregnant wife, Kechia Fulks, 35, and 3-year-old Elijah Canadiate, were taken to St. Joseph's Hospital where they were listed in stable condition, according to police.

In a press release issued Friday afternoon, the Tampa Police Department said, "Signs of alcohol impairment were detected on James (Candidate), and a DUI blood draw was conducted. In addition, the speed of the Infinity appears to also have contributed to this crash. The investigation is ongoing and charges are pending further investigation."

Pinellas Park

And in Pinellas Park, a 74-year-old man was killed when his Chevy Equinox hit two trees and two pickup trucks.

Officials said Raymond J. Busch was killed in the crash, which happened at the intersection of 71st Avenue North and 49th Street at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

Busch was rushed to Northside Hospital where he later died.

Police are investigating the crash.

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