Pinellas Park Police
Fatal Bicycle Crash
11/20/2009 5:05 AM

Belcher Rd / 11700 Blk Southbound

2009-31794

Victim – Stephen R. Caputo, age 52, St Petersburg, FL (Bicyclist)
Bicycle – Schwinn 21 speed beach cruiser type.

Vehicle – 2003 Chrysler 4DR operated by William J. Colwell, age 33, Tampa.

Bicyclist was traveling south along the curb of Belcher Rd, just south of 118 Avenue.  Vehicle was also southbound in the curb lane.  Right front of the vehicle struck the rear of the bicycle sending the bike rider back into the windshield of the car and then onto the roadway.  Mr. Colwell, driver of the vehicle, stopped after the crash.  A few minutes after the initial crash, a second vehicle traveling south on Belcher struck the bicycle that was still in the roadway.  This vehicle continued south and did not return to the scene. Witnesses stated that this vehicle was a red Pontiac Firebird.  Pinellas Park Fire Department arrived on the scene about 4 minutes after the crash and determined the bicycle rider was deceased due to severe head trauma.  The bicyclist was not wearing a helmet and may have been wearing headphones.  The bike did have reflective tape attached, a flashlight taped to the handle bars and a small rear light but it is not immediately apparent if the lights were operational at the time of the crash.  The rider also was wearing a reflective vest.  Weather conditions were good at the time of the crash and do not appear to be a factor.  The driver of the vehicle has told investigators that he just did not see the bicyclist.

Traffic charges are pending further investigation.

Auth: Capt S. A. Forseth