Victim identified as:

Paul Gregory Kepto (1-15-1974)
7448 16th Street N
St Petersburg, FL

At approx 8:40 AM, Kim N. Barbey (6-9-1964) was transporting plywood and 2 x 6 boards in her vehicle.  As she turned from Northbound US19 onto 78 Avenue, the lumber came off of her vehicle onto the Southbound lanes of US19.  Paul Kepto, an employee of Great Bay Distributing, was making a delivery at the Winghouse 7790 US19.  He brought his handtruck over to help Kim Barbey collect the wood out of the roadway.  After collecting most of the wood and moving it to the median, Paul apparently leaned out into the fast lane checking to see if there was any more obstructions.  A southbound box truck operated by John Reece (9-7-1969) struck Kepto.  The truck speed was estimated at about 35 mph.  The left side mirror struck Paul Kepto's head propelling him into the side of the truck, breaking his leg.  A Pinellas Park Police Officer arrived on the scene just after the crash.  Kepto was taken to Bayfront Medical where he is in critical condition with serious head trauma.

Charges are not expected to be filed in this case.

** Paul Kepto passed away at Bayfront Medical Center on 12/14/2006 from injuries sustained in this crash **