3-Car Accident Leaves 2 in Serious Condition

Two people are in serious condition following a crash on State Road 52 this afternoon.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash took place around 4:30 p.m. today, April 17, on State Road 52, just west of Ehren Cutoff Road.

Sammie Re Shard Person, 19, of Spring Hill was traveling east on State Road 52 as James Michael Reich, 59, of New Port Richey was heading west. A car driven by Christi Lynn Bartke, 47, of New Port Richey was also headed westbound at the time.

Person’s car left its lane and traveled into the path of Reich’s car, a highway patrol report said. The two collided, causing Reich’s car to rotate counterclockwise and overturn.

Person’s car continued eastbound in the westbound lanes into the path of Bartke’s vehicle. At this point, Person and Bartke’s vehicles collided, causing Bartke’s car to overturn, the report said.

Person and passenger Shamoy Charles, 17, of Riverview received minor injuries. Reich and Bartke were both Bayflighted to Bayonet Point Hospital in serious condition, according to the highway patrol.

Person was charged with failure to drive within a single lane.