'Quick Nick's' Son Killed in Wrong-Way Crash on I-275
Investigators say Constantine Nicholas Chaconas, 26, was headed the wrong way on Interstate 275 in St. Petersburg when he got into a deadly rollover crash Sunday night.
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The son of the former owner of Quick Nick's gas station in Dunedin was killed in a traffic crash Sunday night as he was driving the wrong way on Interstate 275 in St. Petersburg, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Investigators say Constantine "Gus" Nicholas Chaconas, 26, of Palm Harbor was driving northbound in a southbound lane of 275 approaching the 22nd Avenue North exit ramp around 10 p.m. Sunday when he collided with a Toyota Solara headed in the opposite direction.
Chaconas' car, a 1991 Infiniti M30, struck the left front of the Toyota, started sliding onto the median shoulder and eventually rolled over onto its roof, the FHP reports. Chaconas suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene.
The driver of the Toyota, Eugene Daniel Liddy, 73, of Sarasota suffered serious injuries and was taken to Bayfront Medical Center, according to the highway patrol.
Nick Chaconas, his son Gus and several other employees ran Quick Nick's gas station and convenience store, 840 Broadway, from Christmas Eve 1982 'til sometime in early 2012.
Gus worked in the store most of the time since he was a kid.
The business now operates as a Marathon gas station under different management.
The property is owned by his grandmother Angeline Chaconas, according to county records.
The incident is still under investigation.
Editor's Note: This story was updated Wednesday, March 6, 2013, at 4 p.m. to reflect that Angeline Chaconas is the grandmother of Gus Chaconas.
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JC
5:24 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
We loved this kid! So sad, may he rest in peace. GBNF. So sorry for your loss.
Jeff Reynolds
6:13 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
Gus' father, Nick, is still alive. Angeline is Gus' grandmother.
Zoe
6:21 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
Gus I love you you were the best brother ever we spent every day together you were the best basketball player rest in peace make the angles take you
Suzanne henslee
9:33 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
The whole Dunedin community is with your family Nick. Life has taken a wrong turn in general for your amazing family but you are strong. Gus is the Angel we all need. It will come back to good. Hold on.
Denise
6:32 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Oooh they need to make that correction...NICK IS NOT DEAD!!!! Get your fact checker out of bed before you hit that 'enter' button.
wesley pike
3:30 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Gus, you will be missed by many of us from DUNEDIN and SKIPS....we have all lost someone who was a very SPECIAL person and friend.....you ALWAYS made us smile...you were an angel amongst us all here....keep up the good WORK in HEAVEN...WE LOVE and miss you deeply.
Debbie Thompson
4:04 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Our hearts are broken for your family, Nick. We watched your kids grow up in Quick Nick's, and you watched our kids grow up, too. We are so sorry for the loss of your beautiful boy, Gus.
Frank Zwissler
5:49 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
My heart cries for you Nick. I can't imagine losing my sons. God be with you.
Frank Zwissler
Chris Meggs
7:26 am on Friday, March 8, 2013
My heart and my blessing are with you and your family Nick
Katie Dolac
8:47 am on Friday, March 8, 2013
To those who may be interested in memorial/burial services, here is what we learned from the family Wednesday:
http://dunedin.patch.com/articles/family-friends-remember-quick-nick-s-son-gus-chaconas
Louis J. Chaconas
7:54 pm on Saturday, March 9, 2013
Gus, now you are in heaven and your worldly problems are behind you. I know you are looking down on us with your special smile. I will love you forever, until we meet again, say hi to your pappou Gus for me. You'll find him on what he loved best, coffee break. Love, uncle Lou