Blood on car leads to hit-and-run suspect

NEW PORT RICHEY -- Ten days after someone ran over a teenage boy and then drove away, a woman was arrested Tuesday, authorities said. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the boy's blood, hair and skin were found on her car's undercarriage.

About 9 p.m Oct. 21, Michael Mauritzen was walking south along Thys Road in New Port Richey when he was clipped by the side-view mirror of a passing minivan. Mauritzen, 16, of 7202 Adare Drive, New Port Richey, was knocked to the ground. After that, a Ford Taurus ran over him and kept driving.

Mauritzen was airlifted to Bayfront Medical Center in critical condition. He remained there today, listed in serious condition.

Witnesses recalled some of the characters on the Taurus' license plate, according to FHP Trooper Larry Coggins Jr. Crime analysts from the Pasco County Sheriff's Office ran through several combinations and came up with a possible match: a Taurus driven by Karen D. Kucharczyk, 42, (above left) of 6737 Albemarle Parkway, New Port Richey.

The FHP seized the vehicle and found blood, hair and skin on its undercarriage.

Kucharczyk turned herself in Wednesday at the Land O'Lakes jail to face a charge of leaving the scene of a crash with serious bodily injury. She was held in lieu of $5,000 bail.

The minivan that knocked down Mauritzen did not stop either, Coggins said. Its driver could face a charge as well. It may be missing a side-view mirror.

-Thomas Lake, Times staff writer