Fatal Crash

Report Number: 2011-47516
Location: 12400 Block of US Highway 19 N

At approximately 8:35pm, Pinellas Park Police and Fire/Rescue personnel responded to a serious crash in the 12400 blk of US Highway 19 N, on the southbound overpass.  A preliminary investigation has determined that a 1994 Harley Davidson Motorcycle operated by Thomas Therp, age 41 of St. Petersburg, was traveling southbound on US Highway 19 when it struck a 2007 Ford Taurus which had pulled off the travel portion of the roadway, into the emergency lane.  The Taurus, operated by Faith Emmert, age 34 of St. Petersburg had pulled into the emergency lane and stopped due to an illness of one of her two juvenile passengers.  The collision ejected Therp from his motorcycle and he was pronounced dead at the scene.  Neither Emmert nor the two juveniles were injured.    

As a result of the initial crash, a second motorcyclist, Jason Long, age 29 of St. Petersburg, who was traveling with Therp, lost control of his 2001 Suzuki Motorcycle and was ejected onto the roadway.  Long suffered serious, non-life threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital. 

The cause of the crash is still under investigation but alcohol may have been a factor.    

US Highway 19 was closed for several hours but reopened at approximately 2:30am. Next of Kin has been notified out of state.

If you witnessed or have information regarding this crash, please contact Officer Michael Piacenza at 727-541-0758.

Initial release by Traffic Homicide Investigator, Officer Michael Piacenza.

Updated by Sgt. Brian Unmisig, PIO