Crime & Safety

Dunedin Pedestrian Struck in Palm Harbor

Man was not in a crosswalk.

A Dunedin pedestrian died May 4 after being struck by a car while crossing County Road 1 in Palm Harbor during rush hour.

He was not in a crosswalk, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report.

Richard M. Wheeler, 79, of Dunedin, was struck by a northbound 1994 four-door Toyota shortly after 5:30 p.m., according to the report. The driver, Laura Marie Santoro, 29, of Holiday, was traveling in the outside lane on CR-1. She was about 1,500 feet from the intersection of Tampa Road, according to the report.

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Wheeler was transported to Mease Countryside Hospital, where he later died of his injuries.

The investigation is ongoing.

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