published: Sunday, December 26, 2010

FHP update says nine hurt in two vehicle accident

By ED BALDRIDGE

ed.baldridge@newssun.com

AVON PARK -- A Florida Highway Patrol report released on Thursday updated the number injured in a Dec. 18 crash to nine.

The two-vehicle crash on U.S. 27 involving a 1997 Ford pickup and a 1998 Ford minivan was ruled as weather related, according the FHP.

Daniel F. Barrios-Granados, 28, of Lake Placid, was heading northbound before his pickup veered across the median of U.S. 27 and collided with the van driven by Donna Darlene Boggess, 31, of Frostproof, that was in the southbound lane.

Barrios-Granados suffered minor injuries, the report stated, but his passenger, Israel Trejo, 19, also of Lake Placid, was taken to Florida Hospital Heartland Division with serious injuries.

Boggess suffered serious injuries, and passenger Rose M. Boggess, 50, also of Frostproof, escaped with just minor wounds, the report said.

Five others in the van were also hurt, including Moses Abanano, 44, who was initially taken to Florida Hospital in critical condition before being transferred to Tampa General Hospital.

Marco Gutierrez, a 3-year-old, was taken to All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg in serious condition and 1-year-old Alberto Castilo escaped the accident unharmed.

Herman Castilo, 27, and Ruth Martinez, 12, both of Frostproof, each suffered minor injuries. The last victim, Kellie Jane Boggess, 24, had serious injuries.

Charges are still pending based on the outcome of the investigation.