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Twice-Struck Teen Faces Long Recovery

This family photo shows 16-year-old Michael Mauritzen at Bayfront Medical Center after he was struck Sunday night.

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By LISA A. DAVIS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 24, 2007

Video: Teen's Family, Friends Have Message For Drivers | Photos From The Hospital

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.

His dad, who flew in from New York 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 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 has 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 Mauritzen 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.' Troopers are still investigating.

Gregg Mauritzen said witnesses told him a woman was driving the Ford, and she backed up to see what she hit and then sped away.

'I don't understand how two people can run over him and not stop,' 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 Mauritzen was taken by helicopter to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, where he likely will 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 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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