New Port Richey

September 2, 2024

News: Collision in New Port Richey leaves 1 driver dead, 1 injured

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL – A two-vehicle wreck in Pasco County last week left one of the drivers dead and the other hospitalized.

Pasco News Online reports that the incident happened Aug. 26 at the intersection of Little Road and Heritage Lakes Boulevard.

The Florida Highway Patrol said that the driver of a Ford Focus was going south on Little Road and turned left into the path of a northbound Nissan Xterra, resulting in a collision. The Ford driver, a 36-year-old man from New Port Richey, was taken to an area hospital and pronounced dead.

May 20, 2024

News: Port Richey man arrested in hit-and-run that injured 80-year-old scooter rider

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PORT RICHEY, FL – A Port Richey man was arrested after police said he left the scene of a crash on Monday, according to Pasco News Online.

37-year-old Kris Paterson is charged in the incident that occurred at the intersection of Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard and Hampton Road in Clearwater. Police said Paterson was driving a 2021 Dodge Ram pickup truck when he made a right turn from a business parking lot and struck a man riding a mobility scooter.

The victim, 80-year-old Ernest Coluzzi, was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in critical condition. Investigators said Paterson did not stop to help the victim but fled the scene at a high rate of speed. He stopped on Bayview Avenue to remove the scooter that became stuck under the pickup, police said.

April 3, 2024

News: Elderly woman killed in car wreck at Pasco County intersection

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – Authorities said a crash in Pasco County last week left an elderly driver dead and another motorist injured.

According to Pasco News Online, two vehicles collided in the area of Little Road and San Miguel Drive at about 8 a.m.

An investigation indicated that the driver of a Kia Forte was headed north just before 8 a.m. when she made a left turn in front of a southbound Ford Crown Victoria at the intersection. The vehicles collided and both spun out following the impact. The Ford hit a utility pole on the shoulder of the road.

March 18, 2024

News: Man hit, killed by vehicle while walking on US-19 in New Port Richey

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL – New Port Richey police responded to the scene of a fatal pedestrian accident that took place on Thursday morning, reports the Tampa Free Press.

The incident happened in the area of US Highway 19 and Green Key Road. According to police, a man walking east on the highway from the center median at about 7:25 a.m. was hit by a vehicle heading north in the middle lane. The pedestrian died after after being taken to Bayonet Hospital.

The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene, police said. So far there have been no criminal charges in the case.

January 2, 2024

News: Woman dies after being struck by vehicle on US 19 in Port Richey

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PORT RICHEY, FL – A pedestrian accident claimed the life of a woman in Pasco County last week, police said.

Pasco News Online reported details of the crash that occurred early Christmas morning in the area of US 19 and Grand Boulevard in Port Richey. Police responded to the scene after being notified of the incident shortly after midnight.

According to Port Richey Police, two women had left a bar in the area and were walking to a gas station at the intersection.

December 7, 2023

News: Crash at Port Richey intersection seriously injures driver

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PORT RICHEY, FL – Police in Port Richey said a driver who may have been impaired was injured in a car wreck last week.

In a Facebook post, police said officers were called to the scene Dec. 1 at the intersection of US 19 and Grand Boulevard at about 1 a.m.

A preliminary investigation indicated a 24-year-old man was driving south on US 19 at high speed and lost control while trying to pass vehicles that had stopped at a red light. The vehicle struck a curb near a gas station and crashed into a concrete pole, causing the vehicle to spin and roll over.

November 2, 2023

News: New Port Richey woman fatally struck by hit-and-run driver on Shamrock Drive

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal hit-and-run accident that took place in Pasco County on Monday night.

A report by WFLA states that a woman was attempting to walk across Shamrock Drive at about 8 p.m. when she was struck by an eastbound vehicle near Nimmer Drive.

The victim, a 70-year-old New Port Richey resident, was pronounced dead after being taken to an area hospital.

August 17, 2023

Golf Carts Now Legal to Cross U.S. 19 in New Port Richey | Pasco County Injury Lawyers Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Golf carts are now permitted to cross one of the area’s busiest roadways in New Port Richey, U.S. 19.

The city of New Port Richey began allowing crossings on U.S. 19 and Gulf Drive in July.

Since numerous golf cart users wanted more access to the downtown area as well as other places east of U.S. 19, the city made the change.

Following a traffic analysis, the state had to grant the city approval to permit the crossing. The installation of golf cart signs at the intersection was subject to permission.

However, it does raise some safety issues because of the high speeds and frequent accidents on U.S. 19 in Pasco County.

It is advised for golf cart users to wear their seatbelts and make sure their blinkers are fully functioning before they attempt to cross U.S. 19.

New Port Richey is also developing a crossing at Marine Parkway that would allow golf cart users from Gulf Harbors to cross U.S.19.

The golf carts travel across the major roadway like any other vehicle, abiding by the same traffic regulations as regular motorists.

U.S. 19 in Pasco County is considered one of the most dangerous stretch of roadways in America, so it will certainly be interesting to see how adding golf carts to the mix will play out.

A car can easily overtake a golf cart, and crossings can be hazardous. Additionally, given that cars and trucks move much more quickly than golf carts do on the road, drivers must take extra caution to avoid hitting cars, trucks, motorcycles, delivery vehicles, bikers, and even pedestrians.

Golf cart collisions can be fatal or cause a variety of serious injuries. The following are some of the most frequent injuries:

Broken bones
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
Spinal cord trauma
Knee injuries
Neck injuries
Burns
Shoulder injuries
Lacerations
Amputations
Wrongful death

Our New Port Richey Personal Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton proudly represent injured passengers, pedestrians, and motorists hurt in golf cart accidents. We can provide a thorough and completely free legal review of your injury claim and help you pursue the settlement you deserve. Continue reading

June 9, 2023

News: Motorcycle and SUV involved in fatal collision in Pasco County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL – A motorcycle and an SUV were involved in a deadly collision at an intersection in Pasco County Tuesday morning, reports WTVT.

The Florida Highway Patrol responded to the crash scene at Trouble Creek Road and Whitetail Lane in New Port Richey.

According to the FHP, the driver of an SUV going eastbound on Whitetail Lane stopped at the intersection. The vehicle then turned into the path of a motorcycle that was speeding in the eastbound lanes of Trouble Creek Road, and the vehicles collided.

February 9, 2023

News: Man dies after high-speed motorcycle accident in New Port Richey

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL – Police said a motorcycle rider was killed in an accident in New Port Richey on Monday night, Patch reports.

The incident occurred as the man was riding his motorcycle south on U.S. 19 at about 8:12 p.m. Police said he lost control of the bike while traveling at a high rate of speed and crashed near Green Key Road.

The 39-year-old victim was pronounced dead after being transported to Bayonet Point Hospital. During the course of the investigation, police said a woman driving a car drove onto a curb, went through police tape and ran over evidence from the motorcycle wreck.