By David DeCamp, Times Staff Writer
Friday, September 17, 2010
Kris Kringle is suing Pinellas County.
K. Kringle's Christmas & Holiday Shoppe has filed a lawsuit against the county over a 2009 crash where a Pinellas utilities truck smashed into the store.
The case was filed July 20, a year after the crash, but also appears for discussion on the agenda of the Pinellas County Commission meeting on Tuesday.
The lawsuit asks for more than $15,000 in damages and lost business. Mary Hartigan, an owner of the shop, declined Friday to say how much damage was done. The shop, which had been operating but was for sale, was temporarily closed. It's now for sale.
"Business is good," Hartigan said, declining further comment.
The July 13, 2009, crash happened when a truck driven by county employee Kenneth Houston hit a support beam of the store near 75th Avenue and Blind Pass Road in St. Pete Beach.
Houston was treated by paramedics at the scene. Kevin Becotte, interim director of county utilities, said Houston remains a county employee, and "appropriate action was taken."