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Judge Hit On Motorcycle Expects Long Recovery

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By TOM BRENNAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 3, 2008

Updated: 11/03/2008 02:23 pm

TAMPA - Hillsborough County Circuit Judge Rex Barbas remains in stable condition after being rear-ended while riding his motorcycle home from lunch with friends Saturday.

The accident happed at about 1:30 p.m. while he was making a turn off Livingston Avenue near his Lutz home, according to Rocky Valdez, the judge's judicial assistant.

"It's fortunate he was wearing his helmet," she said.

Debbi Carter, spokesman for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, said Barbas was traveling south on Livingston and slowed to make a left turn. Carter said Sheila Shipman, 38, of Lutz, was following Barbas in a 2006 Chevrolet pickup. Carter said Shipman braked and tried to take evasive action, but still hit Barbas' 1994 Harley Davidson.

Carter said Shipman was ticketed for following too closely.

Valdez said Barbas faces surgery for a broken pelvis and two herniated disks in his neck. She said the surgery has yet to be scheduled.

He was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital where he remains in the Intensive Care Unit in stable condition.

Valdez said his recuperation should be lengthy. "A couple of months at least," she said.

Other judges are assuming his workload, Valdez said.

"They have really stepped up to the plate," she said.

Barbas, 57, is an avid biker. He handles civil cases involving juveniles.

Reporter Tom Brennan can be reached at (813) 259-7698 or tbrennan@tampatrib.com.

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