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Storm Receiver In Fair Condition After Crash

Tribune photo by CLIFF MCBRIDE

Lawrence Samuels was injured Thursday night in a crash on SR 52 and Quail Ridge Drive in Pasco County.

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TBO.com

Published: October 24, 2008

Lawrence Samuels, who broke Arena Football League receiving records during his 14 seasons with the Tampa Bay Storm, remains in fair condition today at Bayfront Medical Center.

His vehicle crashed Thursday night in Pasco County.

Samuels, 38, was taken by helicopter to Bayfront Medical Center, said Storm spokesman Jim Robinson. He had injuries to his ribs and left leg. He also had cuts and bruises.

He had surgery today to repair his leg.

"As a member of our Storm family, the primary concern for Lawrence right now is his health and speedy recovery," head coach and general manager Tim Marcum said in a news release. "We will support he and his family in whatever way we can as they work with the Bayfront medical team through his recovery and the healing process. As a player he has been a key component to the success of the Storm for a long time, and in the future, should he look to come back to the field, we will work to keep him a part of the Storm organization."

The crash occurred about 5:15 p.m. Thursday on SR 52 and Quail Ridge Drive, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Samuels' Chevrolet sport utility vehicle and three others were involved in the wreck. Samuels' 2-year-old child was riding in the SUV and was not hurt, the highway patrol said.

This is how the crash happened, according to the highway patrol:

A 2006 Infiniti SUV driven by Michael Postlethwaite, 53, collided with a 2007 Cadillac stopped at the intersection of S.R. 52 and Quail Ridge Drive.

The Cadillac, driven by Christopher Brady, 33, of Spring Hill, was pushed into the westbound lane of S.R. 52 where it was struck by an oncoming vehicle driven by Jonathan Haworth.

Hawthorne's vehicle spun when its front left axle was torn off and its rear end swung into the path of Samuels' SUV. Samuels' Chevrolet struck Hawthorne's vehicle then veered right and struck a tree on the shoulder of the highway.

Brady was taken to Spring Hill Regional Hospital with minor injuries. Haworth, Postlethwaite and Postlethwaite's 7-year-old son, Austin, were not hurt.

The road was closed for more than two hours as authorities investigated and cleared the scene.
Samuels, who lives in Wesley Chapel, holds the Arena Football League record for most catches with 1,020.

He is currently a free agent, Robinson said, and the Storm were trying to re-sign him to play a 15th season with the team before the free-agent signing period ended.

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