Pinellas Park Police department
Fatality Crash Investigation
December 9th, 2009
Case 09-33522

Location:  49th Street Northbound, just South of the US19 N Overpass.

Driver (victim):  Robert Santomaso (age 53) Clearwater FL
operating a 2008 motorscooter (European make)
(died at Bayfront hospital shortly after arrival)

Driver:  Jasper Quach (age 18) Clearwater FL
Operating a 2008 Mazda 4D automobile
(not injured)

At approximately 11:40 AM, Robert Santomaso was operating his motorscooter North on 49 Street approaching the US19 overpass, along the curb.  Jasper Quach was Southbound 49 ST, going to make a left turn onto Southbound US19.  Quach turned in front of Santomaso.  The front of the motorscooter struck the right side door of the Mazda, ejecting Santomaso.  Santomaso was not wearing a helmet.  Santomaso was transported to Bayfront where he died shortly after arrival due to severe trauma to head and body.  Quach indicated he saw the scooter coming but because Santomaso was so far to the right (along the curb) Quach believed Santomaso was going to veer onto the US19 Southbound on-ramp instead of continuing straight.  Excessive speed or alcohol do not appear to be factors in this crash.

Traffic charges are pending the outcome of the investigation.

49th Street Northbound was shut down South of US19 for about 2 hours.  Traffic was diverted East through a parking lot to US19 and West along 94 Avenue.

Auth. Capt. S. A. Forseth