Posted on 04/27/2005 3:36:48 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
TAMPA - Vincent Edward Tucker refused to get out of the fast lane when a man driving a large, black SUV pulled up behind him honking the horn on the Courtney Campbell Parkway Tuesday morning.
Tampa police say that's when the road rage began.
The SUV was relentless, and Tucker just wouldn't budge, witnesses said. They told investigators that the SUV's driver and Tucker got into a "heated argument" while traveling westbound on the Courtney Campbell, police spokeswoman Laura McElroy said. Gestures were exchanged by both, possibly even words, she said.
The black SUV eventually got into the right lane and passed Tucker's silver Isuzu Rodeo, then veered back into the fast lane, cutting him off, McElroy said. Tucker tried to avoid hitting the SUV by slamming on his brakes.
McElroy said the two vehicles never collided, but Tucker's maneuver caused his Rodeo to flip, and he was ejected because he wasn't wearing a seat belt. He later died in surgery at Tampa General Hospital.
The SUV driver never stopped.
"We have road rage. We have a hit and run. We have somebody who is dead," McElroy said. "And we have to find who is responsible."
The accident happened about 11:30 a.m. between the Ben T. Davis beach and a boat ramp west of there. McElroy said police hit-and-run detectives believe the SUV driver was a man, based on information from the only two drivers who had come forward with details Tuesday afternoon.
McElroy could only describe the hit-and-run vehicle as "a shiny, full-size SUV."
"This is a very serious accident, a very serious crime, and we have to find this driver," McElroy said. "We're going to assume that this is going to weigh very heavily on the conscience of the person involved."
McElroy said the driver of the black SUV had to have known that Tucker's vehicle flipped. She said she hopes that if he talks with family members or friends about the incident, they will call police.
Vincent Tucker, 33, lived at 7101 Lawnview Court with his mother, Glenda Tucker. A woman who answered the door at their Town 'N Country home Tuesday evening said the family did not wish to speak with reporters.
Cynthia Alvarez, who lives across the street from the Tuckers, has a son a year older than Vincent Tucker.
She said she often spoke with Tucker's mother because their sons had a lot in common.
"Vince is a very quiet person," she said. "He is either at work or back home."
Alvarez has known Tucker and his mother since they both moved into the neighborhood about four years ago. Before living in Florida, the Tucker family lived in North Carolina, according to state records.
Alvarez said Tucker spent most of his time watching television or using the computer.
He worked in Pinellas County for a company that made hotel reservations, she said. And whenever she or her son needed anything, like the time her car broke down, Tucker and his mother offered to help.
"I would like that driver to please come forward," Alvarez said. "There is just no reason why anyone would do something so stupid in the road that would take someone's life."
Detectives ask that anyone who may have information about the SUV driver call Tampa police at (813) 276-3578.
Times researcher Cathy Wos contributed to this story. Kevin Graham can be reached at 813 226-3433 or kgraham@sptimes.com
A point I made in #71 as well.
As a further thought, I came to MT from CA. The drivers there in CA. are rude and selfish. I noticed in MT that generally the drivers are courteous and kind. They let others pass and even wave to one another. I sincerely practise those things here. I hate to see MT become another CA - and it is. I especially hate to see some driver flying down the road shoving people out of the way. I didn't come to MT to live like I was still in CA.
I generally drive courteous - but I can't stand rude drivers.
I hear ya...I get so worked up over these drivers here in florida.....
2. The dead guy was a custard-brained moron who should have realized that it is better to let the ------- by than take such a foolish risk. He was even too stupid to wear his seatbelt. I'm sorry he's dead. I am not sorry that he won't sire anymore of his kind.
Oh boy do I hate those vicious and "relentless" SUVs. We all know how dangerous those driverless SUVs are - and obviously this one was without driver because it was described as reletless which would indicate a level of intelligence normally associated with humans and animals....
"Slower drivers in the left lane.....don't get me started."
Too bsd the guy died but jeez, what a jackazz. People who are purposely rolling roadblocks are a major CAUSE of road rage and should be ticketed. THEY are the ones who cause accidents. They are no good, self righteous, militant, liberal panty wearing sissys who think THEY own the road and force everyone to drive around them. Sort of like bicyclists. Rant off.
No...they call them 'fast lane's' for a reason....and you are not abiding to the them...it's your responsiblity to move over and prevent an accident, road rage, stress and inconvenience for many other drivers.
They are now supposingly giving out tickets in florida on the I95 for people just like you.
I wasn't referring to the article. I was referring to the attitude of the posters here. Go back and reread them. Almost to a person they are each saying the same thing. And that is "You HAVE to obey the slower traffic keep right caution signs, but I don't have to obey the posted speed limit signs."
I don't always do it. But if someone flys up behind me, before I've had a chance to get out of their way. I usually won't budge.
I am an observant driver I always watch my mirrors and I usualy get out of the way. But I hate the attitude of, "This is my road get out of the way." I won't live that way.
I'm generally a liberatarian when it comes to driving. "Do what you want, but don't affect me."
For what it's worth, "they" are saying that doing that can provoke road rage, and the problem with road rage is that some people are playing for keeps. Better to let them live in blissful ignorance.
" If I'm driving 90 and the guy comes up at 95. I drop to 80, then 70, 60, 50, . . . I've made it all the way down to 25 in the fast lane before the driver finally passed around me."
You realize your a jerk, right?
It isn't about me going slow and wanting everyone else to go at my pace. If I'm going the flow of traffic and someone races up behind me and trys to intimidate me out of the way, I'll make it hard for them.
Generally I'll let drivers do what they want, but don't affect me.
>If his speed is excessive, phone his tag and vehicle description to 911.<
Just thought I would take the chance your post provided, add that when one of these guys get behind a slower vehicle in the left lane, they have choices to make. They can:
1)Phone the tag and vehicle description to 911, and report a vehicle blocking traffic, and let LE handle it.
2) If in some big stinking hurry to save a few minutes in their vitally "important" lives, they could just go around the slower vehicle.
3) Suffer
4) Tailgate, gesture, blink lights and blow a horn like a$$hole until the slow vehicle pulls over, or until road rage turns the person into an even bigger a$$hole who pulls the sort of "pay back" stunt (or worse) the SUV driver in the story pulled.
Neither driver in the story was correct. Both were at fault.
Admittedly. Isn't the guy behind me a jerk too? But everyone seems to be sticking up for him.
Don't come flying up behind me and expect to shove me out of the way; I'm not moving.
I guess you're right--but I feel it's my responsiblity to also inform/educate this inconsiderate person that they are doing something wrong and aggravating many people. I also want to put a little guilt into them if at all possible (which is highly unlikely with such an idiot--but I give it a shot). Plus it relieves my stress a little. :)
I wish paint guns were legal to shoot at these people.
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