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Teen Awaits Hearing In Fatal Car Crash

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By JASON GEARY, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 19, 2007

TAMPA - A teenage driver was going 'well above' the speed limit and driving recklessly when he fatally struck a man riding a motorbike, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

Sixteen-year-old John Holland Jr. is charged with vehicular homicide in the Sept. 26 crash. The maximum penalty he could face if convicted as an adult for the second-degree felony is 15 years in prison.

After turning himself in on Wednesday afternoon, Holland was expected to be released Thursday from the Juvenile Assessment Center into his parents' custody, said J.D. Callaway, a sheriff's spokesman.

'He will remain on house arrest until a court hearing on Nov. 6,' Callaway said.

Callaway said prosecutors will decide whether the 10th-grader at Alonso High School should be tried as an adult or juvenile.

Holland and his parents, who live within the Westchase community, could not be reached for comment Thursday.

The wreck took place about 3:17 p.m. as Holland was driving a 2005 Nissan 350Z north on Countryway Boulevard, sheriff's reports state. Robert J. Baughman, 49, was driving south on a scooter or moped.

Investigators had not determined how fast Holland was traveling, but it was 'well above' the posted 30 mph speed limit, Callaway said.

Holland was passing many cars and went into the southbound lane, Callaway said.

He attempted to get back into the northbound lane but lost control, and the car began spinning and then struck the motorbike, Callaway said.

Holland's car went off the roadway into a pond, where he and his 16-year-old passenger, Trevor Ekovich, were able to escape unharmed.

'Obviously, the excessive speed and recklessness of the driver was willful disregard to safety,' Callaway said.

Baughman, of 12004 Steppingstone Boulevard, died at the scene. He had been working as a chief server for Affordable Catering.

The fatal accident has brought attention back to safety concerns around Countryway Boulevard. Residents affected by traffic calming proposals for the roadway were given an extension to reject or approve safety measures. The new deadline to return the ballots is Nov. 10.

Reporter Jason Geary can be reached at (813) 865-1505 or jgeary@tampatrib.com.

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