Posted on 12/28/2008 4:40:16 PM PST by devane617
SOUTH PASADENA — A pedestrian was hit and killed by a car as he walked home from a swim Friday evening.
A Cadillac driven by 85-year-old Renata Rathmann hit Christy Lizzoli, 56, of South Pasadena, about 6 p.m., just after sunset.
The victim's family said he was walking home to his condo across the street after working out and swimming in the Intracoastal Waterway.
Lizzoli was in a crosswalk at the time of the crash at 1893 South Shore Drive, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office reported. The 1999 Cadillac De Ville was headed south on South Shore Drive, deputies said. Records show the driver was cited for improper backing in October.
Lizzoli was taken by ambulance to Bayfront Medical Center and was pronounced dead at 7:47 p.m.
Pinellas County investigators don't believe alcohol was involved. No citations have been issued, though the Sheriff's Office didn't rule out that possibility.
"It's still being investigated," said Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Cecilia Barreda. "It's early on."
Mary Kay Lizzoli, the victim's sister-in-law, said he was a loving father of four whose favorite saying was "carpe diem" — "seize the day" in Latin. He has four daughters, one in Japan and the other three in Atlanta. The youngest is in high school.
He retired from food and beverage management at Walt Disney World and was planning on making his condo in Pasadena his full-time home, she said.
"I don't even understand how could this happen," Mary Kay Lizzoli said. "It's definitely a huge loss and such a freak accident."
Sad.These accidents happen though. Are there good statistics to show a high rate involve the elderly though? I see plenty of young reckless drivers all the time.
If you’re in Florida during the winter you are stupid if you don’t watch out for folks like this.
Florida pretty much has the highest pedestrian death rates in the country.
I thought from the headline that it was an oldster in the crosswalk that didn’t make it in time. That is a big issue in Florida communities. Sometimes even the youngin’s have to really hoof it to make it across in time.
RIP.
Age doesn't really come into play here. Its the mind set of the
people that cross the streets without being aware of the
surrounding traffic situation.
I know everyone here has a 90 year-old relative who is as sharp as a fighter pilot but the fact remains that 85+ year-olds seldom have the reflexes, cognitive agility or perceptual acuity to drive safely.
I remember talking with a grocery store manager while living there as he looked for a missing car of an elderly shopper. He said he learned quickly not bother asking the model, or color of car because he said they rarely remember. He took the key fob and clicked until he found it, or found a matching car and tried the key.
You either walk on the side of the street, on the shoulder, or down in the weeds where the fire ants will getcha right up to your knees.
Leni
She said that she didn't see the truck, which is about the size of a small house.
Whatever the statistics tell, it is well known fact among those who live here that these old folks cause many traffic accidents, injuries and deaths in Florida because of their inability to drive safely.
If they're not capable of driving safely, they should be off the road. Period.
YES! Pee poor drivers are there -— male, female, young,
old, mid-age or whatever!! Most pee poor drivers start out
that way —— PEE POOR from day one! Period.
I attribute bad drivers to a total dis-respect to other drivers. They ignore the task at hand and concentrate on their private business. Children that interfere with driving should have their ass whacked every time. People that don’t anticipate traffic control signals and can’t merge onto an interstate should also have their ass whacked.
(rant off)
I agree. I hate to follow a driver that goes 30 mph
down an Interstate Hwy on ramp in order to merge with
70 mph traffic. GGGRRR!!
I wonder if the old bag could even see over the dashboard?
Spot on. Isn’t limited to Florida, of course. In many areas it is not possible to move about safely without being in a car. It should be possible to get around on foot or on a bike in reasonable safety.
“Are there good statistics to show a high rate involve the elderly though?”
Come to the east side of Mesa, AZ in the winter. The snowbirds will scare the poop outta you. I live in a 50+ community and driving is like NASCAR at Daytona after a 6 car pileup.
I will not willingly drive from dark to 10PM (that’s time to take nighty-nite meds)!
Not trying to argue though. I know the numbers will be higher in areas higher in concentration but I just wondered if over all there is a national concern.
I don’t know what the stats say, but elderly drivers out here in S FL regularly try to kill me.
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