Palm Harbor man dies after suffering medical problem behind wheel

PALM HARBOR -- A Palm Harbor man died Monday when he crashed his car after he suffered an undisclosed medical ailment while driving.

Joseph L. DePodesta, 68, was driving through a parking lot at 2375 Curlew Road at 9:45 a.m. when he lost control of his 2007 Hyundai Azera, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The Azera hit a curb and a small tree before running into a concrete wall surrounding a trash bin at Perkins Restaurant.

DePodesta was pronounced dead shortly thereafter at Mease Countryside Hospital. A cause of death is pending, but the man died from the medical condition and not because of the car crash, said FHP spokesman Sgt. Steve Gaskins.

Rita Farlow, Times Staff Writer

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