By Craig Pittman, Times Staff Writer
Monday, October 11, 2010
PINELLAS PARK — A 20-year-old bicyclist, hit by an SUV on Sunday night, clung to the vehicle's roof until she was thrown to the street, police said.
The victim was crossing 49th Street at 86th Avenue on her bicycle about 10 p.m. when she was struck by a silver Toyota Highlander that had been traveling north on 49th Street, Pinellas Park police said Monday.
The victim, Karri E. Bush, was thrown onto the roof of the SUV, and she hung on as it kept going north on 49th Street, police said. Meanwhile, a witness chased after the 10-year-old Toyota, which was driven by an unidentified white man.
At the 10600 block, the SUV made a U-turn to head south, eluding its pursuer and throwing Bush to the pavement. The Toyota was last seen in the area of 94th Avenue between 49th and 66th streets, police said. Bush was taken to Bayfront Medical Center with serious injuries, police said.
Police are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has a tip to pass on to call Officer Michael Piacenza at (727) 541-0758.
On Sept. 12, a hit-and-run driver killed bicyclist Neil Alan Smith, 49, in St. Petersburg.