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25
Jan

Royal Caribbean conference held in Florida, addressed accident

January 25, 2012

Half of Royal Caribbean’s ship captains were in Florida last week for the company‘s annual Fleet Operations leadership conference, according to USA Today.

The international Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Royal Caribbean, one of the world’s largest cruise lines, is calling this month’s Costa Concordia accident “a defining moment in the history of the modern cruise industry.”

He said that the Florida conference gave them “an opportunity to underscore both our excellent 42-year safety record and more importantly to emphasize the imperative of keeping our record intact into the future.”

“We will need the results of the authorities’ investigations to truly understand and respond to all of the implications,” the CEO wrote on his blog. “But we do not need to wait for anyone or anything to underscore the preeminent role of safety in the daily life of every cruise ship and of the industry as a whole.

“We must review [our safety processes] again, especially recruiting, training, guest mustering, and evacuation. We have considered and prepared for very many scenarios. Now we need to broaden the range of scenarios even further.”

The Royal Caribbean CEO is the first top executive of a major line, other than Costa, to speak publicly about the Jan. 13 accident, which resulted in the deaths of at least 15 passengers.

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23
Jan

DUI driver slams into police car, injures 3 in St. Petersburg

January 23, 2012

A DUI driver crashed into the back of a police cruiser at 3 a.m. in St. Petersburg, Florida, causing the vehicle to hit another vehicle and sending the officer and two others to the hospital, reports My Fox.com out of Tampa Bay, Florida.

At Gandy Boulevard and I-275, a 44-year-old police officer pulled over a Chrysler PT Cruiser after it had hit a traffic signal control box.

During the traffic stop, a 26-year-old intoxicated woman in a 2004 silver Toyota Corolla slammed into the back of the police cruiser, said the St. Petersburg police. The accident caused the police officer’s vehicle to hit the PT Cruiser.

Then the 26-year-old woman drove off.

The officer was taken to the hospital and later released. The driver and passenger of the PT Cruiser were taken to the hospital in serious condition. At last check, the passenger was in critical condition, police said.

The driver of the Corolla was arrested by a Florida Highway Patrol trooper, assisting at the traffic stop.

She has been charged with DUI and leaving the scene of an accident with injuries.

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20
Jan

Young Lakeland teen hit, killed by school bus

January 20, 2012

A 14-year-old Lakeland (Florida) High School student died Tuesday afternoon after she was hit by a school bus at 3:06 p.m., reports WTSP News.

The student was crossing West Beacon Road southbound from Camphor Drive. The 43-year-old substitute bus driver was stopped on Eden Parkway at the intersection of West Beacon Road.

Investigators say that the bus driver was making a left turn when she hit the girl, who was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital. The teen was pronounced dead at 4:37 p.m.

The Assistant Superintendent for the Polk County School District Transportation Department says that the bus driver was so distraught over the accident that she had to be rushed to the hospital. “She’s absolutely devastated over what took place.”

The middle school principal at Southwest Middle School says that teachers, students, and staff are going to be upset as they learn of the young girl’s death. “She was a sweet girl–very well liked–popular with the other students–involved here at school.”

Lakeland police say that their investigation is still ongoing.

Meanwhile, none of the 28 Southwest Elementary School children on board the school bus were hurt.

School district officials say that counselors will be available to help the students and the school bus driver during the week.

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18
Jan

Florida man guilty of DUI sues victim

January 18, 2012

A man who had pleaded guilty to DUI manslaughter stemming from a crash near Tampa, Florida, on Christmas Day 2007 now denies causing the crash, reports ABC News. The accident killed three of the four people in the vehicle that was hit.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, the man has now sued the estate of the now-deceased driver of the other vehicle, saying it was actually the other driver who caused the crash by abruptly changing lanes.

The man’s attorney, who is also his sister, said that the government’s prosecution amounted to a character assassination, and that he had accepted a plea deal only to avoid risking getting a life sentence.

“It’s hard to wrap your head around. There aren’t any facts that support the allegation [the accused man] is making,” the lawyer for the victim’s family said. “That’s why the family is breathless” at this law suit.

Six eyewitnesses said that the now deceased driver was stopped at a red light when, at 70 to 90 mph, and never veering or braking, the accused man rear-ended him.

The event data recorder in the deceased man’s vehicle showed that it was not moving at the time of impact, she said.

The man was sentenced to 12 years in prison, where he remains.

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16
Jan

Gene Hackman hit by motor vehicle while cycling in Florida Keys

January 16, 2012

Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman suffered injuries after being hit by a pickup truck on Saturday afternoon in the Florida Keys, according to the Daily Mail.

The 81-year-old legendary star was struck while riding his bicycle on Islamorada Street, called the Old Highway, in Tavernier, Florida, around 3 p.m.

The truck came up from behind, and the impact knocked Hackman off his bike. He was thrown onto a grassy shoulder, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

Because he was on an island, he was airlifted to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital on the mainland.

Early reports that Hackman had suffered serious head injuries were dismissed by his spokeswoman.

She said, “Gene Hackman was taken to a hospital for routine tests after being bumped from behind while riding his bike today in the Keys.

“He’s suffered minor bumps and bruises and is already on his way home.”

Hackman was not wearing a helmet.

According to USA Today, the accident was far more startling than life threatening.

The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. No charges have yet been filed.

During a career that has spanned five decades, Hackman has won two Academy Awards and been nominated for three others.

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