May 17, 2010

Fla. woman killed in collision with squad car

Officials say a Polk County Sheriff's Deputy was responding to call when a vehicle pulled into his path

The Lakeland Ledger

HAINES CITY, Fla. — A 63-year-old woman died after her vehicle and a Polk County sheriff's patrol car collided on U.S. 27 late Saturday.

The Sheriff's Office identified the woman as Moni Kurian of Huntwicke Boulevard in Davenport.

Sheriff's officials said Deputy William Schob, 39, was responding to a call about a hit-and-run vehicle crash at 10:20 p.m. Saturday and had his emergency lights and siren on as he traveled north on U.S. 27 near Haines City.

Kurian and her husband, 69-year-old Puleekunnil Joseph Kurian, were traveling south on U.S. 27 in a 2004 Jeep Cherokee. The Sheriff's Office said the Jeep turned east near Citrus Ridge Drive and into the path of the patrol car. The patrol car struck the Jeep on the passenger side.

Moni Kurian died at the scene.

Puleekunnil Kurian was taken to Heart of Florida Hospital with minor injuries.

Schob was taken to Heart of Florida Hospital. He later was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center for further evaluation and was released.

Schob, who has been with the Sheriff's Office for 12 years, was traveling with his police dog. The dog received a cut on his head during the crash. The dog was treated at a local veterinary hospital, where he received 10 stitches above his right eye.

All three people involved in the crash were wearing seat belts.

Bay News 9 reported that the intersection of U.S. 27 and Citrus Ridge Drive is the site of a crash that killed three people last fall. Crosses placed nearby memorialize the victims.

In that crash, a driver on U.S. 27 was turning left onto Citrus Ridge Drive and collided with a northbound vehicle. Three people were killed - Eduardo Lopez, 22, Lucero Tijerno, 17, and her 11-month-old baby daughter, Layla Pinto-Tijerno.

Candace Pandolfo, whose daughter was friends with the victims of the September crash, told Bay News 9 the intersection is dangerous and needs a traffic light. She has gathered signatures to try to persuade traffic officials to make safety improvements.