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2 Injured When Car Rams Fence, Catches Fire

Photo by MARK NILGES

A 1998 Pontiac was rubble after ramming a fence at a Clearwater church Sunday. The driver and passenger were seriously injured.

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TBO.com

Published: June 15, 2008

Updated: 06/15/2008 10:05 pm

CLEARWATER Two men were seriously injured this morning in downtown Clearwater when their speeding car slammed into a fence, split in half and caught fire, police said.

Police gave this account of the crash:
Matthew Albert Barbush, 29, of Spring Hill, was driving south on North Fort Harrison Boulevard just before 4 a.m. with passenger Jonathan Edward Baker III, 27, of St. Petersburg.

A witness said the car was speeding and had no lights on.

As the car, a 1998 Pontiac, crossed over Cleveland Street, it struck a light pole then hit a concrete-block and wrought-iron fence in front of Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church, 110 S. Fort Harrison Ave.

The impact split the vehicle in two. Barbush and Baker were ejected.

The front half of the vehicle continued on to Pierce Street, where it caught fire. The other half of the vehicle, including the passenger compartment, stayed behind at the fence.

The two men were taken to Bayfront Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. Barbush's condition improved but Baker remained in critical condition today.

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