Manatee County

October 30, 2024

News: Driver’s, passengers’ lives claimed in fiery Manatee Co. crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

MANATEE COUNTY, FL – Two passengers and a pickup truck driver died when they crashed their vehicle into a pole, causing the truck to catch fire Wednesday.

This solo collision occurred after 3:15 a.m. at the I-275 South off-ramp leading to I-75 South, Fox 13 News reports. Florida Highway Patrol declared the occupants deceased at the scene and is working to determine the contributing factors behind this wreck.

Traffic was at a standstill temporarily as authorities pursued their investigation and as crews cleared crash debris.

October 21, 2024

News: Helene, Milton cause $884 million in damages in Sarasota, Manatee Counties

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

SARASOTA AND MANATEE COUNTY, FL – Sarasota and Manatee County officials estimate that Hurricane Helene and Milton caused around $884 million in structural damages.

Sarasota County authorities told the Herald-Turbine they speculate that the aftermath of Helene led to $337.7 million in damages, with Milton racking up $306 million in damages, tallying up a total of nearly $634 million. Manatee County officials said they believe that damages from Milton resulted in over $250 million but did not specify if that included Helene as well. The only cities within Manatee County that don’t currently have damage report numbers are Bradenton, Palmetto, and the three cities on Anna Maria Island: Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach, and Holmes Beach.

Both counties, however, are not off the hook yet. All counties in the state of Florida, which include Manatee and Sarasota counties, are expected to see “between $17 billion and $28 billion” in wind and flood losses from Milton, and uninsured property losses are anticipated to only increase “between $21 billion and $34 billion,” according to data from CoreLogic.

October 15, 2024

News: Over $146 million needed to restore Manatee Co. after Milton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

MANATEE COUNTY, FL – It’s going to take a significant amount of time and money, specifically over $146 million, to restore properties that have taken a hit from Hurricane Milton.

County authorities told MySunCoast News that commercial property damages amounted to more than $16 million, while damages to residential homes are believed to be up to $130 million. The hurricane, which was identified as a Category 3 event, has totaled 19 homes and affected more than 2,000 buildings. More than 500 homes have also experienced some minor damage.

Daily life after this tumultuous storm has also taken a daily toll on the lives of residents across the board. Regular commuters have had to navigate around downed traffic lights, and power outages are still frequent.

September 11, 2024

News: Female cyclist, 62, seriously hurt in crash in Bradenton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

BRADENTON, FL – A 62-year-old woman riding a bicycle was hospitalized for serious injuries after colliding with a pickup truck on U.S. 41 South Tuesday.

This collision happened before 11:30 p.m., south of 57th Avenue West, when the cyclist had gone in front of the truck, according to Bradenton Herald.

Florida Highway Patrol confirmed that the woman (from Bradenton) did not wear a helmet and was sent to HCA Florida Blake Hospital.

August 26, 2024

News: FHP called to multi-auto crash on Sunshine Skyway Bridge

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

MANATEE COUNTY, FL – Florida Highway Patrol was dispatched to the scene of a major multi-vehicle collision on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge Saturday.

FHP told WFLA they arrived at the scene, at mile marker 10, before 4 p.m. Upon arrival, they shut down all northbound lanes for an hour to accommodate their investigation and the crews’ scene clearance process.

The exact number of vehicles involved has not been verified. However, based on a photograph from the Florida Department of Transportation, it appears that at least six or seven automobiles were involved.

August 13, 2024

News: Oklahoma man passes away as car hits tree, fence in Bradenton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

BRADENTON, FL – A 26-year-old man, a resident of Oklahoma City, succumbed to fatal wounds after crashing his Dodge Charger into a tree and fence over the weekend.

Florida Highway Patrol told WFLA this single-vehicle collision happened while the man, who they suspect was traveling at a high speed while going north on U.S. 301, had lost control of his steering wheel while pursuing a left-hand turn.

The man was found dead on Monday.

June 28, 2024

News: 1 dead after car misses curve, collides with ditch in Memphis

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

MEMPHIS, FL – A 92-year-old woman operating an SUV missed a curve, leading her to crash into a ditch and succumb to fatal injuries Tuesday.

This single-vehicle collision happened before 7:30 p.m., the Herald-Tribune revealed. Prior to the woman crashing into the ditch, she went south on 3rd Avenue West (past 42nd Street Court Street West). Florida Highway Patrol, who responded to the scene, said she died at the scene.

June 17, 2024

News: Man, 46, killed in boat collision near Longboat Key

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

MANATEE COUNTY, FL – A 46-year-old man passed away Friday, June 17, after a boat vessel collided with a channel marker in the Sarasota Bay, off the coast of Longboat Key.

The fatal incident happened at around 6:30 p.m., while the vessel was traveling on the Intracoastal Waterway near the 600th block of Jungle Queen Way, MySunCoast reports.

Longboat Key Fire Rescue crews said that among the seven people involved, two were “severely injured.” Both victims were rushed to a local trauma center where one of the patients, identified as 46-year-old Mark Hall, was pronounced deceased.

March 29, 2024

News: Fiery crash with semi kills 35-year-old man in Palmetto

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PALMETTO, FL – A driver whose semi-truck was parked managed to not sustain any injuries, while a 35-year-old man died following a fiery collision Friday.

WFLA said the crash happened before 2:30 a.m. at U.S. 41 and Piney Point Road when the 35-year-old man, driving a car, had struck the semi-truck, leading the vehicles to catch fire. As a result, the man died at the scene.

Florida Highway Patrol only identified the 35-year-old man as a Ruskin resident and the semi-driver as a 45-year-old man from Georgia.

March 1, 2024

News: MSCO called to auto accident at Copperstone Condos

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

EAST PARRISH, FL – The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) was summoned to a collision that happened before 12:45 p.m. Friday in the Copperstone Condos.

Deputies indicated this incident happened in front of a private residence in the 11511th block of 84th Street Circle East. They have not reported any sustained injuries or specified the kind of people and vehicles involved.

Updates will be included as more details come to light.