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Family Of Woman Hurt In Crash With Pasco Deputy Awarded $9.1 Million

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By GEOFF FOX

gfox@tampatrib.com

Published: March 13, 2009

PORT RICHEY - The family of a woman left brain-damaged after a 2005 wreck with a Pasco County sheriff's deputy's cruiser was awarded a $9.1 million verdict today.

Jennifer Wohlgemuth, 25, suffered a traumatic brain injury and will likely require around-the-clock care for the rest of her life, said Frank Winkles, a Tampa attorney representing her family. The verdict was rendered this morning by Circuit Court Judge Stanley Mills.

To collect the full amount, Wohlgemuth's family must ask the state Legislature to enact a legislative claims bill "to cover the verdict," Winkles said.

"The family is grateful, but it's going to take this to take care of Jennifer for the rest of her life," he said, adding that it is unclear when the family might address the Legislature.

Sheriff's office spokesman Kevin Doll said the sheriff's office is reviewing Mills' order "and considering our options."

The incident happened early Jan. 3, 2005. Then-Deputy Kenneth Petrillo, who no longer works for the agency, was responding on full alert at 1:35 a.m. to a police chase in the Moon Lake area when his sheriff's cruiser broadsided Wohlgemuth's 2003 Honda Accord at Ridge Road and Regency Park Boulevard.

The Florida Highway Patrol later determined that Petrillo failed to stop at the red light at Ridge and Regency Park Boulevard, and that Wohlgemuth failed to yield to the cruiser's flashing lights and sirens.

The crash happened about seven miles from where New Port Richey police were pursuing a 1994 Buick going 60 mph in a posted 45 mph zone at U.S. 19 and Cedar Drive, Coggins said. Port Richey police got involved when the chase entered city limits.

Scott Alexander Eddins, then 31, was the driver being pursued by police that morning. He was arrested on charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, fleeing to elude, reckless driving, possessing cocaine and drug paraphernalia, two counts of fleeing to elude police and three counts of driving with a suspended or revoked license.

"Jennifer will probably be about like a 10-year-old for the rest of her life," Winkles said. "We'll go to the Legislature as soon as we can. I don't know if it will be this year or next year."

Reporter Geoff Fox can be reached at (813) 779-4613.

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