Personal Injury
6/6/2012
Ryan P. Rooth, Shareholder
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Is Bayshore Boulevard Still Tampa’s Pedestrian Oasis
Bayshore Boulevard is one of the top attractions of Tampa Bay. Its East is lined with the water and its West is bordered with million dollar mansions. Tampa citizens flock to the street to jog, walk with strollers, and enjoy the view of the sunset and dolphins. However, an alarming number of headlines over the past several years indicate that even the ritziest, most serene, parts of town are susceptible to tragedy.
Most recently, 17 year old Noah Grant was injured by a drive-by egging during a jog. Earlier this month, 19 year old Michael Agana died after his car lost control across Bayshore, smashed through the railing, and fell into the water. Over the past year, law enforcement has responded to approximately 250 calls out to Bayshore. Most of these were related to automobiles and drivers- for example, DUIs, accidents, or people driving without a license. In 2010, an alarming case involved a man, Luis Munuzuri Harris, who pretended to be a police officer, pulled over a woman, and raped her. In 2003, a driver ran over bicyclist Ian Bellis as he was waiting to cross the street. Bellis was on the sidewalk when he was hit, which means anyone who is running, walking, or skating on the sidewalk, could be a victim. In 2004, a jogger was hit by a motorcycle that was travelling at 80 miles per hour, double the speed limit.
Despite these tragic cases, people still flock to Bayshore. Have the recent incidents affected your decision to frequent Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa, the popular walking and jogging site? Are you more likely to hit the gym instead? Or, like most people, are you largely unaffected by the tragedies? We at Rooth Law Group urge you to take safety precautions wherever your outdoor recreation spot may be. Try not to go out at night and if you must, wear light-reflective clothing if out at night. Don’t carry large amounts of money. Don’t bike, run or walk while wearing headphones. Be cautious and stay safe!
