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Polk Judge's Daughter Seriously Injured In Crash

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By RAY REYES

rreyes@tampatrib.com

Published: November 24, 2008

The 14-year-old daughter of a state legislator and Polk County circuit judge was seriously injured in a Saturday night crash in Auburndale.

Mary Stargel of Lakeland was taken to Tampa General Hospital after the car she was riding in collided with a pickup just before 7 p.m., according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Her condition was upgraded from critical to stable Sunday night, according to hospital nursing supervisors.

She is the daughter of state Rep. Kelli Stargel and Circuit Judge John Stargel, who served in the Legislature from 2002 to 2006. His wife was elected this year to the District 64 seat he once held.

Mary was riding in a 1985 Mercedes Benz driven by her brother, Robert Stargel, 17, of Lakeland. The Mercedes is registered to John and Kelli Stargel.

According to the highway patrol:

Robert Stargel was driving north on State Road 559 in Auburndale and turned left at the intersection of County Road 557A, into the path of a 2003 Nissan pickup driven by Paul Kish, 46, of Polk City.

The truck hit the passenger side of the car.

Stargel was cited for violating the right of way. He and Kish received minor injuries. All three were wearing seat belts.

Kish was not cited, but the crash remains under investigation, according to the accident report.

Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 259-7920.

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