 |
Bay News 9
Local Programming
On Demand
About
Community
Market Place
Services
Teen's leg severed in possible DUI-related accident
The driver, 24-year-old Joshua Dean West of Tampa, has been arrested in Hillsborough County five times since 2005. No charges have been filed in the crash.
PINELLAS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- The early-morning crash that sent three people to area hospitals is now being investigated as a DUI accident.
According to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, a pedestrian was hit by a car just after 1 a.m. on Main Street in Safety Harbor.
Authorities said the Honda Accord went off the road and hit 18-year-old Andrew Scott Hall, who officials think was on the sidewalk waiting for a ride.
The car also struck a cement mailbox and two utility poles before coming to rest in a wooded area adjacent to the road.
"The light poles were clipped, mailboxes were gone," said Cheri Boyer, one of the neighbors who rushed out of her home to see what happened.
Officials closed Main Street between McMullen Booth Road and Angler's Court while tending to the accident scene.
Hall suffered life-threatening injuries, including a severed leg, and was flown to Bayfront Medical Center, according to deputies.
According to Hall's father, he has cerebral palsy and has already overcome many obstacle's in his life.
Hall's landlord says he lived with his brother.
"He's a handicap kid, he is very kind," said Persa Tapalaga. "Lovely kids."
The passenger in the car, Douglas Zeigler, was also taken to Bayfront Medical Center. He was released Monday afternoon.
The driver, 24-year-old Joshua Dean West of Tampa, was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa.
Officials said one person in the car attempted to flee the scene but was located by a police dog a short time later. According to deputies, a witness said the Accord was traveling at a high rate of speed on Main Street, which has a 25 miles-per-hour speed limit.
Accident investigators remained at the scene of the crash for several hours. Officials said the crash is being investigated as a DUI and charges may be pending.
West has been arrested in Hillsborough County five times since 2005. His charges range from DUI and driving without a license to cocaine possession.
He lives in a Tampa apartment complex and Bay News 9 is told he was driving his girlfriend's car.
Be in the Know with Bay News 9 Now!
Get news, weather, and traffic alerts delivered directly to your computer desktop, e-mail, or cell phone with Bay News 9 Now.
- Subscribe for free!
More Pinellas County Stories
- Rays to turn Trop into 'baseball nightclub' on Fridays
- All Pinellas schools under microscope for bad behavior
- Marine from Largo dies in Afghanistan
- ABC Coalition pitch Rays report to commissioners
- Officials meeting to quell problems at Pinellas school
- Battle over the budget in Pinellas County
- Not enough money to fund Pier project
- SLIDESHOW: Fire breaks out at Pasco RV store
- Ducks to no longer run amuck in Dunedin
Good, Green Fun
Festivals, green beer, and more ways to celebrate St. Paddy's Day!
| |
Select the size text you want to use to view www.baynews9.com from the choices below.
Bay News 9's Partners
 |  |  |
|  |
About Bright House Networks