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Ex-Cardinals Coach Kissell Dies After Pinellas Park Crash

Tribune file photo by CHRIS URSO (2005)

George Kissell, who for years was the St. Louis Cardinals coach, died late Tuesday after an auto accident. He was 88.

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By STEPHEN THOMPSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 7, 2008

Updated: 10/07/2008 11:52 pm

PINELLAS PARK - Former St. Louis Cardinals coach George Kissell died Tuesday night at a local hospital after a crash Monday at 110th Avenue and U.S. 19, police say.

The crash occurred when Kissell's daughter, Karolyn Kidwell, 58, went through a red light at 110th Avenue, according to the Pinellas Park Police Department. She has not been charged or given a traffic citation.

The crash investigation had not been completed.

Kissell, 88, who lived in the Mainlands subdivision of Pinellas Park, was taken to Tampa General Hospital in critical condition after the crash Monday. He died late Tuesday night, a nursing supervisor said.

Kidwell, Kissell and his wife, Virginia, were in a 2002 Chevrolet sedan, heading west on 110th Avenue, when the car went through a red light and was struck by a car going north on U.S. 19, Forseth said.
The car driven by Stacy Lehart, 27, was going 40 to 45 mph, Forseth said.

George Kissell was sitting on the side of the car that was struck, Forseth said, and he had to be extricated from the wreckage.

Kidwell was taken to Bayfront Medical Center but was not admitted, Forseth said. Lehart was injured but not transported to a hospital, he said.

Virginia Kissell's condition was not known.

Kissell was the Cardinals' coach from 1969 to 1975 and finished his career in 2004 as a bench coach for St. Louis manager Tony La Russa.

Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336 or spthompson@tampatrib.com.

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