A Pinellas Park accident involving a motor scooter and a car leaves a Clearwater man dead when the two vehicles collide. The incident took place at approximately 11:45 AM on Thursday morning, December 9, 2009.
According to reports, the victim, Robert Santomaso, 53, of Clearwater, was riding a 2008 scooter northbound on U.S. 19 when the accident occurred. Police say that he was approaching 49th Street when a 2008 Mazda sedan turned in front of his scooter causing the scooter to hit the right door of the sedan. The force of the impact ejected Santomaso, who was not wearing a helmet, from the scooter.
Rescue crews transported Santomaso to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg with severe head and body injuries. He was pronounced dead a short time after arriving at the hospital.
It was unclear whether the driver of the Mazda, Jasper Quach, 18, of Clearwater, suffered any injuries as a result of the accident.
Quach told police that he saw the scooter, but thought that Santomaso was going to turn instead of continuing straight.
Local commuters along 49th Street and U.S. 19 were inconvenienced for approximately 90 minutes as crews removed debris and police continued their investigation.
The fatal Pinellas Park crash is still under investigation by local authorities. Charges are still pending.
