Drivers Hospitalized After Valrico Stop-Sign Crash

Two Valrico drivers, ages 75 and 21, were involved in a serious accident at East Lumsden Road and South St. Cloud Avenue today, March 19, after the older motorist reportedly failed to stop at a Valrico stop-sign intersection just east and south of the Abbey Grove and Valrico Grove subdivisions, respectively.

Kathryn A. Means, 75, of 122 Oakhill Ridge Road, and Kelly Thomas Fort, 21, of 828 Rocky Mountain Court, were sent to area hospitals with "incapacitating" and "life-threatening" injuries, respectively, according to a report from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

Means, who was driving a 1998 Pontiac Sunfire convertible, reportedly was wearing a seat belt. So, too, was the more seriously injured Fort, who reportedly was driving a 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse convertible.

Fort was airlifted by helicopter to Tampa General Hospital, where he was reported in critical condition. Means, in stable condition, was transported to South Florida Baptist Hospital in Plant City, according to the report.

The report notes that the accident occurred at around 10:15 a.m. An investigator on the scene reported the time at around 9:45 a.m.

The report notes that Means was driving her Pontiac south on St. Cloud Avenue when she "failed to stop for the stop sign and struck a 2001 Mitsubishi in the
passenger side."

No charges were filed "pending further investigation." It was noted, too, that "alcohol does not appear to be a factor."

Traffic resumed at around 12:26 p.m.