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Three-Car Accident Leads to Man’s Death

A fatal three-vehicle crash that occurred on November 6th at 10:10 PM is being investigated by deputies assigned to the Sheriff’s Office of Major Accident Investigation Team.  The accident took place on Bay Pines Boulevard west of 100th Way in Seminole.

Before the fatal crash occurred, deputies say that witnesses saw a white 1995 Chrysler minivan being driven erratically westbound on Bay Pines Boulevard.  The driver, 22-year-old Coty James Cotter, drove his vehicle over the curb and onto the north shoulder of the road as he approached the intersection of 100th Way.

Cotter overcorrected as he tried to re-enter the roadway, which caused his van to cross over three westbound lanes of Bay Pines Boulevard.  He attempted to avoid hitting the median by swerving back to the right, but ended up hitting a gray 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by 41-year-old Roberto Gonzalez.  The force of the collision caused the Jeep to veer of the north side of the road where it smashed into and knocked down a light pole before the vehicle came to a spinning stop.

When Cotter’s vehicle hit the Jeep, it caused him to head to the left and across the median into the eastbound lanes where he collided head-on with a 2006  Dodge 4x4 Heavy Duty pickup truck driven by 39-year-old Amy McRanie of Redington Beach.  Cotter was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the collision and was partially ejected during the crash.  Both of the other drivers and their passengers were wearing their seat belts.

Cotter was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.  McRanie, who sustained non-life threatening injuries, was taken by medical helicopter to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg.   Her passengers were taken by ambulance to All Children’s Hospital where they were treated and released.  Gonzalez and his passenger were not injured during the accident.

Investigators are trying to determine if alcohol was a factor in the accident, but no criminal charges are anticipated.

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