RSSNew Port Richey Man Killed While Crossing Rowan Road in a Motorized Wheelchair
Early collision reports from the first responders with the Florida Highway Patrol in Pasco County indicate that a 79-year-old man from New Port Richey was struck and killed by an SUV late Thursday afternoon while attempting to cross an incredibly busy intersection at Rowan Road in his motorized wheelchair.
According to troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol, it was approximately 4:40 p.m. on October 14, 2021, when a 64-year-old man was driving his SUV in the northbound lane of Rowan Road heading toward Massachusetts Avenue. Simultaneously, a 79-year-old resident of New Port Richey was traveling in a motorized wheelchair along the shoulder of the same road in the same direction. Officers indicated that as both motorists approached the street’s divided four-lane roadway, the man in the wheelchair attempted to cross Massachusetts Avenue outside of a designated pedestrian area. As the New Port Richey man pulled out onto the street, the driver of the sport utility vehicle made a right-hand turn and collided with the motorized wheelchair which ejected the man from his seat.
Local Pasco County emergency personnel arrived at the scene of the accident within a matter of minutes after receiving orders from the 9-1-1 dispatch operators and immediately proceeded to stabilize the seriously injured 79-year-old for transport to a local hospital. A skilled staff of trauma nurses and doctors worked for hours to keep the man alive, but due to the severity of injuries sustained during the collision, he was unable to survive and passed away later that evening. The 64-year-old driver of the SUV was unharmed in the incident.
Although traffic homicide detectives with the Florida Highway Patrol have opened an official investigation into the fatal pedestrian accident, no charges have been filed against the SUV’s driver, also a resident of New Port Richey.
Since 1977, Florida personal injury lawyer James O. Cunningham has been fighting for the rights of victims who have been severely injured or killed during hit-and-run collisions, rear-end car crashes, pedestrian accidents, and any other traumatic or fatal accident in which a negligent driver was at fault. If you would like to schedule a free 30-minute case evaluation, please submit a contact form through our website or call our office today at 877-FL-INJURY to speak with a knowledgeable and compassionate legal professional.
James O. Cunningham
Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.
Mr. Cunningham is an excellent and knowledgeable attorney.