One dead in Clearwater Beach accident

Police investigate the scene of an accident that happened just before 6:30 p.m. Monday on Mandalay Avenue in Clearwater Beach. Clearwater public safety officials say a 1995 GMC conversion van was northbound on Mandalay approaching Rockaway Street when it attempted to turn left in front of a 1998 Mazda 626. The Mazda struck the rear right side of the van. Neither driver was wearing a seat belt, and the driver of the Mazda, Cristobal Angelo Cordano, 21, of Oldsmar, was taken to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The driver of the van, Mario Ghiloni, 25, of Newark, Ohio, and a passenger in the Mazda, Deavon Ruud, 16, of Oldsmar, were treated for injuries deemed not to be life-threatening. The accident is under investigation. No charges have been filed. [JIM DAMASKE | Times]