Page 3 - 3-6-15 Friday's Edition

Features
Two Drivers Finally Charged In Deadly Accident
MICHAEL MERCER
... Charged with leaving the scene of an accident with serious injury
The Florida Highway Pa- trol has arrested two men in connection with leaving the scene of an accident that re- sulted in the death of a young Thonotosassa man. The acci- dent took place last year.
Amari A. Williams, 30, of Thonotosassa, was driving his 1985 Chevrolet Camaro on E. Fowler Avenue shortly after 3 a.m., on April 12, 2014. When he reached the area of E. Fowler Avenue, east of Interstate 75, Williams reportedly col- lided with a 1997 GMC Pickup truck driven by 41- year-old Michael Patrick Mercer, of Wesley Chapel. Williams was ejected from his vehicle as it rotated and overturned. After the acci- dent Mercer fled the scene while Williams was lying in the roadway. Mercer’s vehi- cle was found several hours later, abandoned on Fletcher Avenue. The investigation linked it to the traffic acci-
WILLIAM S. RIDLEY ... Charged with leaving the scene of an accident
with death
dent.
Two passersby, Jason
Coffy, 42, of Tampa, and Bennie Williams, 52, of Jacksonville, stopped to pro- vide assistance to Williams, who was still in the roadway. At that point, Williams was struck by a 2008 Chevrolet Pickup that was driven by William S. Ridley, 47, of Tampa and an unidentified vehicle. Ridley contacted the Florida Highway Patrol the day after the accident.
Williams died at the scene.
A Tampa native, Williams attended the pub- lic schools of Hillsborough County, including Armwood High School. He obtained his GED and was self-employed at the time of his death.
The Florida Highway Pa- trol has not identified the driver of the 4th vehicle in- volved in the accident. A spokesperson for the Florida Highway Patrol said the case
AMARI WILLIAMS
... Died after being ejected from his vehicle
involved two separate crashes.
On Wednesday, Mercer was charged with leaving the scene of an accident involv- ing serious injury. He was re- leased after posting a bond of $7,500.
Officials said the second accident caused the fatal in- juries to Williams. On Thursday morning, William S. Ridley, 48, of Temple Terrace, was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident involv- ing death. His bond was set at $15,000.
The Florida Highway Pa- trol has not identified the fourth driver involved in the fatal accident. The investiga- tion is continuing and the Florida Highway Patrol is asking anyone with informa- tion to call (813) 631-4020.
School Board Votes To Extend Superintendent Contract
On Tuesday, members of the Hillsborough County School Board voted 4-3 to offer a contract to their In- terim Superintendent Jeff Eakins. If an agreement is reached between School Board attorneys and attor- neys representing Eakins, he will begin on July 1st.
Eakins was appointed as Interim Superintendent after the School Board voted 4-3 to terminate the contract of Mrs. MaryEllen Elia, without cause at their Janu- ary 20th meeting. Mrs. Elia’s last day was March 5th. She will use vacation time until the end of the school year.
As a result of the vote, there will not be a national search to replace Mrs. Elia. Additionally, other employ- ees will not have an opportu- nity to apply for the position. Board members Doretha Edgecomb, Carol Kurdell
JEFF EAKINS ... Interim School Superintendent
and Melissa Snively voted against the decision to offer Eakins a contract.
However, Board members
Susan Valdes, April Grif- fin, Sally Harris, and Cindy Stuart voted in favor of the motion.
Eakins is a 25-year em- ployee of the district.
Happenings In The Bay Area
Celebrating Women’s History Month
Black Women Business Owners Executives and Entrepre- neurs (BWBOEE) presents “Recognizing and Celebrating Women Achievements in Business, Entrepreneurship and Community Service Brunch: In the Spirit of Madame CJ Walker.” The event will be held on Tuesday, March 31, 2015, 10 a. m. – 12:30 p. m.
For more info, visit www.BWOBEE.com.
Historical Stroll In St. Petersburg
The St. Petersburg Historic Walking Tour is an easy stroll with many stops along the way. The tour is about 2 hours long. For further information or to schedule a tour, call (727) 726-
0515, or contact Lonnie Herman, (727) 786-0515.
FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-A