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Witnesses sought on ladder that caused Largo crash

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By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 14, 2009

If there were any witnesses to a ladder falling off a vehicle in the middle of U.S. 19 on Wednesday morning, none have come forward so far, Largo police Sgt. George Edmiston said today.

The family of a Holiday man whose motorcycle crashed when it struck the ladder is offering a reward for anyone who can provide a description of the vehicle that dropped it.

Andrew Guastella, 61, was seriously injured in the crash Wednesday. He is in critical condition at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg. He hasn't regained consciousness and has bleeding in his brain, said Kelly Conard, a companion of one of Guastella's children.

Edmiston said the person who dropped the ladder could be charged with a misdemeanor.

A red plastic flag tied to the ladder is being processed for fingerprints, he said. It also appears another vehicle struck the ladder prior to Guastella's motorcycle, Edmiston said.

"How can you not know you lost a 24-foot ladder on U.S. 19?" Conard asked Monday.

The crash occurred about 8:40 a.m. Wednesday at U.S. 19 near 142nd Avenue. Guastella, a father of three and a grandfather of three, was driving his 2004 Honda to get prescriptions.

Guastella was wearing a helmet, according to a Largo police incident report.

Conard has asked anyone with information about the crash to call her at (843) 437-6460 or (615) 498-7871.

Reporter Ray Reyes contributed to this report. Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691.

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