2 pedestrians in critical after wrecks in Pasco, Pinellas

A woman struck by a car on U.S. 19 in Pasco County on Tuesday night remains in critical condition today, as does a woman struck by a car while maneuvering her electric wheelchair across a St. Petersburg street.

At 10:30 p.m., Janelle Honeycutt, 29, and Michael Taylor, 26, both of New Port Richey, were crossing U.S. 19 at the Floramar Terrace intersection when they were struck by a 2003 Honda Accord, New Port Richey police said.

Honeycutt is in critical condition at Bayfront Medical Center, according to a hospital spokesperson. Taylor's condition was not available.

The Honda was driven by Barbara Mass, 82, of Clearwater. No other information was available.

Earlier Tuesday night, a St. Petersburg woman was maneuvering her electric wheelchair across 16th Street South when she was struck by a hit-and-run driver, St. Petersburg police said.

Shirley Anne Lavine, 55, is in critical condition, a Bayfront spokesperson said.

The two incidents highlight the Tampa Bay area's recent ranking as the second most dangerous place for pedestrians in the nation.

Lavine, 55, suffered mainly broken bones and bruises when she was struck while crossing 16th Street South at a marked crosswalk just north of 13th Avenue South about 9:50 p.m., said St. Petersburg police spokesman George Kajtsa.

Lavine was knocked to the ground, and her wheelchair was pushed more than 170 feet down the road, police said. The driver fled west on 14th Avenue South.

The vehicle is described as a light-colored, midsize vehicle with damage to the front and possible damage to the right headlight. It may have a license plate on the front bumper that reads Loyola University.

It was the second time in two days that a car has struck someone in a wheelchair in the Bay area.

On Monday night, 74-year-old Theodore Evans was hit and killed by a 1999 Ford Expedition as he crossed U.S. 41 in Bradenton in his 2004 Jazzy wheelchair.

Evans, of Bradenton, had crossed the northbound lanes and was in the center turn lane when he was hit by the southbound sport utility vehicle driven by Robert Stannard, 69, of Bradenton.

No charges were filed, the Florida Highway Patrol said.