Pasco County

December 12, 2024

News: 1 dead, 2 injured in multi-vehicle collision on State Road 52

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly multi-vehicle accident that occurred in San Antonio, Pasco County on Sunday morning, WFLA reports.

According to the FHP, the driver of a Hyundai Tucson was making a turn at the intersection of State Road 52 and Old Tampa Bay Drive at about 10:30 a.m. The Tucson turned in front of a Harley Davidson motorcycle that was going east on State Road 52, and the bike collided with the vehicle. The Tucson was then re-directed into a semi-truck that had stopped at the intersection.

The motorcyclist, a 46-year-old San Antonio man, was pronounced dead after being taken to an area hospital. The Tucson driver, an 81-year-old woman, and her passenger, an 87-year-old man, suffered minor injuries. Both are from San Antonio.

November 22, 2024

News: Driver flees after SUV crashes into Land O’Lakes home, leaving 1 man dead

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

LAND O’LAKES, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal hit-and-run accident that occurred Tuesday morning in Land O’Lakes, according to Pasco News Online.

State troopers said the driver of a Chevy Tahoe veered off the road while heading south on US-41 near Bell Lake Road at about 12:30 a.m. The SUV went across a sidewalk and collided with a Honda Fit that was parked in a driveway. The impact caused the Honda to go through an interior wall and hit a 37-year-old Tampa man, who was airlifted to an area hospital with serious injuries. He was pronounced dead the following day.

The FHP is now searching for the driver of the Tahoe, described as a woman in her mid 30s. She fled the scene on foot after the crash.

November 6, 2024

News: 1 dead in Pasco County ATV crash involving alleged drunk driver

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol said one person died following an accident involving an all-terrain vehicle in Pasco County.

A report by WTSP states that the incident occurred on a private road behind a gas station in Shady Hills Road Sunday night. The FHP said the ATV driver lost control while driving in circles and the vehicle overturned.

The front seat passenger, a 35-year-old man, was ejected and then was run over by the vehicle, causing fatal injuries. According to state troopers, the driver ran away from the scene but was located a short distance away.

October 31, 2024

News: Pasco County opens temporary shelter for victims of Hurricanes Helene and Milton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – Pasco County is opening a site to give temporary housing to people who have been displaced by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, WFLA reports.

The shelter, Pasco Hope, will be located at 2654 Grand Boulevard in Holiday and is part of a partnership between the county and Catholic Charities.

It will provide temporary housing and support services for people trying to recover from the two devastating hurricanes. Staff members will be on hand around the clock to help with mental health counseling and case management.

October 25, 2024

News: Woman struck, killed by car at intersection in Pasco County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – A woman was killed in an accident at an intersection in Pasco County Thursday morning, WFTS reports.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver of a Ford F-150 was headed west on Ridge Road and made a left turn at the intersection with Lemon Road shortly before 1 a.m.

A passenger in the Ford, a 38-year-old woman, fell out of the vehicle and was struck by a Kia K5. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

October 15, 2024

Hurricane Milton brought ‘historical flooding’ to low-lying areas of Pasco County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – Recovery efforts continue in areas of Florida that were battered by the effects of Hurricane Milton.

Officials in Pasco County posted an alert over the weekend that there had been historical flooding in low-lying areas and in several neighborhoods around the county near rivers and lakes. Dozens of flooded roads were closed, and drivers were advised to navigate safely around them without driving through floodwaters.

WTSP reported that the Anclote River flooded due to heavy rainfall in the area, leaving houses and cars submerged in the water.

October 11, 2024

News: Millions still without power as residents assess damage from Hurricane Milton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – Over 2.5 million customers remained without power Friday as Florida residents assessed and repaired damage from Hurricane Milton, the Associated Press reports.

At least 12 deaths had been reported due to the hurricane, most in the eastern part of the state. There was widespread flooding in the path of the storm, though Milton did not prove to be quite as catastrophic as had been feared. Residents who evacuated their homes ahead of the hurricane returned to check on their property.

Hurricane Milton’s storm surge caused water levels along the Gulf Coast to rise at least 5 to 10 feet above ground level, according to preliminary estimates from the National Hurricane Center. The worst surge was reported along a

October 9, 2024

News: Pasco, Marion, Hernando and Citrus among counties under evacuation orders ahead of Hurricane Milton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – Preparations and evacuations continue across much of Florida as powerful Hurricane Milton bears down on the state’s West Coast.

According to the Associated Press, the hurricane was once again upgraded to a Category 5 on Tuesday as it moved across the eastern Gulf of Mexico. It was expected to reach the west-central coast of Florida Wednesday night somewhere near the Tampa Bay region Storm surge and hurricane warnings on the state’s west and east coasts remained in effect.

Along with sustained winds of 125 mph, forecasters said the storm could also bring more than a foot of rain to areas north of its eye, and up to 18 inches in some spots. “You’re going to see flooding of homes and businesses, you’re going to see rescues. It will flood in areas that don’t normally flood,” said Mike Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center. “I’m pleading with you to get out of those storm surge evacuation areas if you have not yet.”

September 26, 2024

News: Motorcycle rider dies after hitting curb, pole in Land O’Lakes

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

LAND O’LAKES, FL – An accident in Pasco County claimed the life of a 22-year-old motorcycle rider on Sunday morning.

According to Pasco News Online, the Florida Highway Patrol responded to the scene on Bell Lake Road near Collier Parkway at about 11:10 a.m.

The FHP said a man lost control of a Kawasaki motorcycle while riding eastbound and collided with a curb, then struck a concrete pole. The rider, a Land O’Lakes resident, was killed in the crash.

September 16, 2024

News: Holiday man killed when motorcycle overturns on US Alt 19 in Pasco County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PASCO COUNTY, FL – An accident in Pasco County early Thursday morning claimed the life of a motorcycle rider, the Tampa Free Press reports.

The Florida Highway Patrol said the rider of an E-ride Pro motorcycle was headed north on the west shoulder of US Alt 19 when the crash happened at about 12:25 a.m.

According to the FHP, the rider struck a ditch south of Manton Lane and the motorcycle overturned. The rider, a 26-year-old Holiday man, died at the scene.