Woman dies in Palm Harbor crash

PALM HARBOR - A 58-year-old woman died Friday after a rush-hour collision with another vehicle at U.S. 19 and Bilgore Grove Boulevard.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers report that Patricia A. Lattman of Palm Harbor was driving her 1997 Nissan Altima southbound on U.S. 19 at Bilgore Grove Boulevard when she turned into the path of 17-year-old Nicholas Douklias of Oldsmar.

Douklias had been going northbound in slow-moving traffic at about 5:30 p.m on U.S. 19 approaching Bilgore when his 2004 Ford Expedition struck the right side of Lattman's car, troopers said.

The impact of the collision sent both vehicles to a corner of the intersection, where Lattman's car also hit a light pole.

Lattman died on the scene. Douklias sustained minor injuries, troopers said. An investigation is ongoing.

-Kameel Stanley, Times Staff Writer

Comments

[SpitBaby]

I witnessed the accident. This was caused by a dumb driver stopping traffic to allow the deceased to cut across traffic. The outside lanes almost never stop. This practice needs to be outlawed. Start holding these "do gooders" responsible for the crashes they inadvertantly cause. Also the kid in the pick up was flying down the outside passing cars on the right, just like they always do.

[Ima Burden]

Thanks witness. This is why I only go in the lane someone opens up for me. Too many times I have seen people race by because they did not know the other lanes were stopping to let someone in. If I'm in the right lane and I see the other lanes stopped, I slow way down in anticipation that something like this might be happening. Sad thing is this is only learned from experience.

[blaz44]

Dear spitbaby,
please think of what you are saying before you post a comment. The kid was not flying down the road. It was rush hour traffic. How was he speeding? and not all kids speed. I FEEL REALLY BAD FOR THE WOMAN WHO LOST HER LIFE. But you also have to wonder how is this young man going to deal with this tragedy!!

[blaz44]

Dear spitbaby,
please think of what you are saying before you post a comment. The kid was not flying down the road. It was rush hour traffic. How was he speeding? and not all kids speed. I FEEL REALLY BAD FOR THE WOMAN WHO LOST HER LIFE. But you also have to wonder how is this young man going to deal with this tragedy!!

[BooBooBear]

to all the readers,
#1 this was a accident its no one's fault.that is why it is called a accident.it is sad that it was fatal,no one is to blame it was a accident. i know what the kid is feeling.just imagine when he got out of the car to help the lady and he seen what he seen.untill you have seen that you will understand.i lost my bestfriend in accident back in 2006 and my brother was a passenger in the car and i see what he goes threw everyday,i even had to see the accident and seen it all,its a mental thing that they have to live with for the rest of their lifes. the kid was not flying down the road in the middle of rush hour traffic that makes no since,i drive 19 everyday around that time and there is no way you can be speeding.i see accidents happen everyday on us 19 the road is very dangerous and you have to be super caution. thats why we all shoould always wear our seatbelts and drive with caution. you dont have to worry about your driving but others on the road.
thats all i have to say

[SpitBaby]

EVERYONE Flys down the far right lane between Curlew and Tampa Rd, rush hour or not. The kid in the pick up was no exception. As soon and traffic slows in the left 2 lanes just about everyone races down the far right lane. Then some of them race back up to the front of the "line" before the light so they can continue straight. I did think about my post before posting. Did you? Can you read? Where did I say he was speeding? I said he was flying. Maybe the kid will slow down and drive safely in the future. He certainly shares the blame in my book.

[BooBooBear]

hold up there spitbay
YES i can read,and you said he was "FLYING down the outside passing cars on the right" so i think you need to re read your post! and rethink before you type,
until you go threw something like this then you should speak until then i think you should keep your mouth shut.
the kid is 17 years old and your probly what 40 or 50 something? he is a kid its a accident.so you need to get over it, he meant no harm so dont sit there and try to blame him in YOUR BOOK! and you know what your book dosnt even matter when its coming from someone who dosnt understand what he is going threw.
Good Day spitbay!

[godiva98]

I saw this accident right after it happend,and to the kid,i went to school with him and had nothing but problems with him he probablly was flying knowing him,and if he got out to help her that would probablly be a first in his life because all he did back in middle was start stuff he couldnt back up. I feel sorry for the lady who lost her life but as far as douklias goes he was nothing but trouble

[blaz44]

Dear Godiva98
First and foremost your schooling has nothing to do with this accident. How small of you to bring your personal problems into this sad story. We are talking about a very sad accident were a person lost her life so have some compassion to the situation. It was a accident and we all need to think about both parties involved.

[blaz44]

Dear Spitbaby
Ok you did not say he was speeding .So you said flying down the road. DOES THAT MEAN HE WAS DRIVING A PLANE!!!!BECAUSE
SPEEDING OR FLYING DOWN THE ROAD IN MY BOOK MEANS ONE THING IN THE SAME. HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BooBooBear]

godiva98
well maybe he was that way back in middle school but time changes people.Over the months&years things happen its called growing up.

& BLAZ44 I TOTALY AGREE ON YOUR LAST POST,

[SpitBaby]

Bite Me Boo Boo Bear.

[eyeonu]

Dear SpitBaby,
Please contact me, I knew the woman.

[eyeonu]

Everyone,
Let's just end this blog now!
also, everyone made good points.

Death effects everyone, but not always the same way.
My last post on this topic.

[BooBooBear]

spitbay,Grow Up and act like an adult!