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Deputies Seek Witnesses To Crash Involving Teen Driver

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By MIKE WELLS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 28, 2007

TAMPA - Investigators spent Thursday searching for more witnesses to Wednesday's crash on Countryway Boulevard in which an Alonso High School sophomore behind the wheel of a sports car struck and killed a man on a motorbike.

Deputies also spent Thursday dealing with another teen-involved crash near Durant High School that involved a school bus and two vehicles.

On Wednesday afternoon, 16-year-old John Holland Jr. was driving north on Countryway in a 2005 Nissan 350-Z when he lost control, veered and struck 49-year-old Robert Jeff Baughman, who was headed south on a scooter, sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said.

Holland's Nissan then went off the road into a pond, where he and his 16-year-old passenger, Trevor Ekovich, also a sophomore at Alonso, were able to escape unharmed.

The wreck happened at 3:17 p.m. just south of Woodbay Drive, halting traffic.

On Thursday morning, sheriff's Cpl. Mike Cherup said traffic homicide detectives would not be re-enacting the crash.

'We've gathered all the data we need to gather,' he said. 'Now, we'll attempt to track down more witnesses.'

The road is not considered a 'trouble site' for fatal crashes, Cherup said.

'We've had others in the subdivision, but not on that road,' he said.

No one has been charged as the investigation is continuing.

Holland did not attend classes Thursday, Hillsborough County Schools spokeswoman Linda Cobbe said. Though a school psychologist and counselors were on standby at the school, no one requested their services, she said.
Hillsborough Schools Superintendent MaryEllen Elia said she has planned a series of town hall meetings at which teen driving safety will be discussed.

On Thursday morning, a sport utility vehicle, a pickup and a school bus were involved in an accident near Durant High School.

None of the 43 students on the bus was hurt, but a passenger in the SUV was sent to the hospital for a bump on the head, Carter said.

About 6:51 a.m., a Ford Explorer was following a Ford Ranger and a school bus on Durant Road. The Explorer tried to pass the Ranger and the bus, she said.

At the same time, the Ranger tried to pass the bus. The SUV struck the rear of the Ranger then rolled onto its side, Carter said.

The driver of the Explorer, Gary Cooper, 19, was cited for careless driving and improper passing. The driver of the Ranger, Chad Lunsford, 17, was cited for careless driving.

Cobbe said parents of all the students on the bus were notified.

Traffic backed up on Durant Road, one of three access roads to the school, she said, delaying many teachers and students.

News Channel 8 reporter Chip Osowski and Tribune reporter Thomas W. Krause contributed to this report. Reporter Mike Wells can be reached at (813) 259-7839 or mwells@tampatrib.com.

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