Protester hit by car has minor injuries

By The Tampa Tribune
Published: April 17, 2009

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PORT RICHEY --

A man participating in a tax protest in Port Richey was hospitalized Wednesday evening after he was hit by a car.

Joseph Sprowls, 62, was one of about 50 protesters demonstrating during a Tea Party near a former Mel's Diner on U.S. 19. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 23-year-old Melanie Schrey was making a right turn into the diner's driveway about 6:40 p.m. when she hit Sprowls with her 1994 Chevrolet sedan.

According to the highway patrol, Sprowls and some of the other protesters were standing in the driveway access. Sprowls was taken to Community Hospital of New Port Richey with what were described as minor injuries.

A staff report