Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
-Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.)
Vehicle 1:
Cory Ziegler (Driver – Not Injured)
DOB: 07/16/1995
Address: 211 Earl Street, Tarpon Springs
Vehicle: 2002 Ford Sport Track
James Spence (Passenger – Injured/Life Threatening)
DOB:08/16/1995
Address: 211 Earl Street, Tarpon Springs
Jessie Aldridge (Passenger – Injured/Life -Threatening)
DOB: 02/06/1996
Address: 3627 Rusty Grackle Drive, Palm Harbor
Kyle Aldridge (Passenger -Injured/Non-Life Threatening)
DOB: 12/29/1996
Address: Rusty Grackle Drive, Palm Harbor
Vehicle 2:
Shalindra Kasinath (Driver- Not Injured)
DOB: 09/30/1982
Address: 38323 3rd Avenue, Zephyrhills
Vehicle: 2006 Ford F350 (Owned by Hubbard Construction)
What:
The Sheriff’s Major Accident Investigation Team is investigating a two vehicle crash in Dunedin, that left three people injured, two of them with life threatening injuries.
When:
The crash occurred at about 11:43 a.m. on Friday, December 6, 2013.
Where:
The crash occurred at the intersection of Belcher Road and Highland Woods Drive (which is just south of Curlew Road) in Dunedin.
Why/How:
According to investigators, the Ford F350 driven by 31-year-old Shalindra Kasinath was traveling northbound at a slow rate of speed in the curblane of Belcher Road pulling a directional arrow sign board through an area of construction. The sign was directing drivers to the median lane.
The 2002 Ford Sport Track driven by 18-year-old Cory Ziegler was traveling northbound in the median lane of Belcher Road.
Investigators say Ziegler changed lanes into the curb lane in order to go around a slower moving vehicle. As he changed lanes, deputies say, he noticed the arrow board and attempted to accelerate around the slow moving vehicle. As he attempted to move back into the median lane to avoid the arrow board trailer, Ziegler struck the trailer with the rear quarter panel of his vehicle, causing him to lose control and the vehicle to fishtail. According to deputies, the Ford then struck the median and began to roll.
The roll caused Ziegler’s three passengers, 18-year-old James Spence, 17-year-old Jessie Aldridge and 17-year-old Kyle Aldridge to be ejected from the vehicle. Deputies say the three did not appear to be wearing seatbelts. Ziegler was not ejected. Deputies say he was wearing a seatbelt.
Ziegler was not injured in the crash. Spence was transported by air to Bayfront Medical Center for treatment of life threatening injuries. Jessie Aldreidge was transported by air to Bayfront Medical Center for treatment of life threatening injuries. Kyle Aldridge was transported by ambulance to St. Joseph’s Hospital for treatment of minor non-life threatening injuries.
At this time deputies say speed appears to be a factor in the crash.
Northbound Belcher at Curlew Drive has re-opened to traffic. Traffic was shut down for approximately 6 hours while deputies conducted their investigation.
The investigation continues.