75-year-old pedestrian hit, killed by car

RIVERVIEW --- A pedestrian struck Thursday night by a car in Riverview has died.

Lennie Rankins, 75, of Riverview, was trying to cross Riverview Drive just east of 78th Street when he stepped into the path of a westbound 2002 Oldsmobile driven by Russell Matter, 62, of Gibsonton and was struck.

Rankins was flown to Tampa General Hospital and died this morning at 8:32 a.m.

Matter and his passenger, 59-year-old Melissa McCue, also of Gibsonton, were not injured.

No charges are expected.

-- Amber Mobley, Times Staff Writer