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Swerving Car Strikes Two Vehicles, Seriously Injures Motorists

August 5, 2005

Several motorists were injured after a vehicle crossed the median and hit two oncoming vehicles.

After a night of partying at a wedding in Tarpon Springs, friends and family of the groom decided to wait until morning to hit the road. Cousins Reynaldo Orta and Ramon Perez, both 27, of Puerto Rico, had flown into Orlando International Airport, rented a 2005 Nissan Altima and planned to drive it back to the airport. About 8:35 a.m. the next morning, Orta was driving east on State Road 54 in southwest Pasco County when a 1996 Nissan 200 SX crossed the centerline, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. It struck the Altima, spun and hit a 2002 Ford Explorer. The accident sent seven people to area hospitals.

The crash happened despite the best efforts of another motorist, who called *FHP on his cell phone to report an impaired driver, troopers said. 'I saw this car swerving and coming right at me,' Orta said as he held his bandaged right arm. 'I couldn't do anything. It hit us head-on, more so on the passenger's side. I had my seat belt on, but my boy didn't.'

Perez, who was a passenger, was being treated at Community Hospital in New Port Richey for injuries to his right side ribs and hip, relatives said. Orta's arm was cut and burned when the windshield shattered and the airbag deployed. Relatives, including groom Rafael Mathews, rushed to the scene after a panicked telephone call from Orta. They watched a tow truck driver haul away the mangled cars and said Orta and Perez were lucky to have survived.

Andrew G. Giacobbe, 21, of 4609 Tropical Lane, Holiday, who troopers said caused the crash, may not be as fortunate. He was flown to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg and was in critical condition. He was wearing a seat belt, the patrol reported. Troopers said they were aware something was wrong inside the Nissan before the crash and prepared to help. As Orta and Perez drove east, a worried westbound motorist was on the telephone with a patrol dispatcher, complaining about a driver he had been following for several miles. The driver appeared impaired, the patrol reported. 'He was on the phone to report this guy was swerving all over the road,' Orta said. 'After we crashed, he came over all concerned and was helping.'

Pasco firefighters took the Explorer's driver, Fred Smith, 68, of Holiday; and four passengers, Lorraine Smith, 58; Chris Vines, 43; Christine Vines, 40; and Brittany Vines, 14, to Morton Plant North Bay Hospital in New Port Richey.