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2 Drivers Sought After Teen Is Hit Twice

Photo courtesy of Mauritzen family

Michael Mauritzen, 16, is recovering from multiple injuries after being hit by a minivan and run over by a car.

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By LISA A. DAVIS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 23, 2007

Updated: 10/23/2007 09:00 pm

NEW PORT RICHEY -- Sixteen-year-old Michael Mauritzen never lost consciousness Sunday night after he was hit by a minivan and then run over a by a Ford Taurus.

He remembers the undercarriage of the car as more than a ton of metal rolled over him, his father, Gregg said Tuesday.

Michael Mauritzen

His Dad, who flew in from New York City hours after the accident, said he wishes that's the one thing his son could forget, but there are so many reminders.

"He's got tire marks all over him," he said.

He's also has numerous broken bones: nose, femur, hip, pelvis and collar. Add a lacerated liver to the mix, and he's a very injured young man. However, his dad says, considering he's already had one surgery and another one is set for Wednesday, the Gulf High student is doing considerably well.

"He's in good spirits, but he's in pain," Gregg Mauritzen said.

The real clincher is that neither motorist stopped to help and Florida Highway Patrol troopers are looking for them.

A minivan, possibly a Chrysler or a Dodge, was the first to strike Michael as he walked south on Thys Road about 9 p.m. The vehicle's right-side mirror hit his back, knocking him to the ground and tearing off the mirror, troopers say. Then, a red Ford Taurus ran over the teen and kept driving south.

Another motorist stopped and dialed 911.

"The person in the Ford might've thought they ran over a dead dog or a branch. Who knows?" Trooper Larry Coggins said. "It's a dark road out there."

Michael's father said witnesses told him a woman was driving the Ford, and she backed up to see what she hit and then sped away.

Troopers are still investigating.

"I don't understand how two people can run over him and not stop," Gregg Mauritzen said. "… I don't know how people can leave someone to die on the road like an animal. He's only 16 years old."

Michael was flown by medical helicopter to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg where he will likely remain for weeks, his father said.

Meanwhile, troopers hope tips might lead to the drivers involved in the incident. A witness saw part of the Taurus' Florida tag: X74ZE.

"I hope they get caught," the elder Mauritzen said.

Anyone with information may call the highway patrol's Land O' Lakes substation at 1-800-235-6019 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS (1-800-873-8477).

Reporter Lisa A. Davis can be reached at (727) 815-1083 or ldavis@tampatrib.com.

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