Deputies Investigate Vehicle Vs. Bicycle Crash With Serious Injury
Release Number: 09-183
Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
-Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.)
Steven Merrill (Injured Bicyclist)
DOB: 10/20/1969
Address: 864 Harbor Hills Drive, Safety Harbor
Frank Leko (Driver)
DOB: 06/23/1940
Address: 1806 Cypress Trace Drive, Safety Harbor
Vehicle: 1999 Mercedes Benz CLK430
What: Deputies are investigating a vehicle vs. bicycle crash which left the bicyclist seriously injured.
Where: The crash occurred at the intersection of 10th Avenue and 3rd Street in Safety Harbor.
When: Deputies responded to the crash at about 4:08 p.m. on Sunday, August 2, 2009.
How/Why: Deputies are investigating a vehicle vs. bicycle crash which left the bicyclist seriously injured. Deputies responded to the crash at about 4:08 p.m. on Sunday, August 2, 2009. The crash occurred at 10th Avenue and 3rd Street in Safety Harbor.
According to deputies, 69-year-old Frank Leko was driving his 1999 Mercedes Benz northbound on 10th Avenue. 39-year-old Steven Merrill was riding his bicycle eastbound on 3rd Street. Deputies say Merrill did not stop at the stop sign and crossed the intersection into the path of Leko's vehicle.
Leko struck Merrill, ejecting him from the bicycle onto the pavement where he struck his head. Merrill was not wearing a helmet.
Merrill was transported by air to Bayfront Medical Center with life threatening injuries.
Alcohol nor speed were factors in the crash. The vehicle did not have a stop sign and Mr. Leko had the right of way.
The investigation continues.
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