Fatal crash to be investigated

PALM HARBOR -- The Florida Highway Patrol will investigate a Sept. 23 crash on U.S. 19 that left one woman dead and a teenager with minor injuries.

About 11:30 a.m. that day, Eileen P. Murphy, 79, of Dunedin, was driving south in the outside right lane of U.S. 19 approaching Innisbrook Drive. Keri McIntosh, 17, of New Port Richey, was stopped at a red light on Innisbrook Drive facing east, according to Florida Highway Patrol. When the red light turned green, troopers said McIntosh proceeded forward, but Murphy failed to stop at her red light, and she crashed into McIntosh.

After the collision, McIntosh's car spun away and came to rest straddling the outside and center lanes of U.S. 19. Murphy struck a cement bench and a pedestrian walk-signal pole, troopers said. She was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital, where she died Sept. 30. Before she died, Murphy was charged with running a red light, driving with an expired license and driving without a seat belt. McIntosh had only minor injuries.  

The case was assigned to investigators Sunday.

-- Kim Wilmath, Times staff

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