Manatee County

August 12, 2025

News: 2 teens dead following single-vehicle crash in Manatee County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

MANATEE COUNTY, FL – Two teens died in a single-vehicle collision on Silverleaf Avenue near US 301 on Saturday, according to FOX 13.

A 19-year-old driver was driving a Dodge Charger south on Silverleaf Avenue at high speeds when they strayed off the road and hit multiple trees around 2:15 a.m.

Crews pronounced the driver and a 19-year-old passenger dead at the scene. A 17-year-old male passenger and a 16-year-old female passenger were hospitalized. The 17-year-old was in critical condition, and the 16-year-old was in serious condition.

July 14, 2025

News: Alleged impaired driver fatally collides with motorcyclist in Bradenton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

BRADENTON, FL – According to WTSP, a suspected impaired driver killed a motorcyclist’s passenger near 42nd Avenue West and 59th Street West on July 7.

Milton May, 51, was driving east on 42nd Avenue West when he struck a northbound motorcyclist around 10:15 p.m.

First responders transported the 28-year-old motorcyclist to an area hospital in critical condition. His 35-year-old woman passenger died in the collision.

July 10, 2025

News: Man killed in pedestrian crash in Parish

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PARISH, FL – A man lost his life to a serious pedestrian crash that happened on U.S. Highway 301 Saturday, July 5.

According to ABC Action News, the events unraveled after 9:30 a.m. when a man who was walking on the highway’s shoulder was struck by a pickup truck.

The male pedestrian, who was a Parish local, succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

June 12, 2025

News: Man, 57, loses life to rollover collision in Palmetto

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PALMETTO, FL – A 57-year-old man lost his life to a rollover collision that happened on U.S. 41 near SeaPort Manatee Wednesday night.

According to MySunCoast, the 57-year-old man, who drove a Nissan Versa, had lost control of his vehicle. He drifted off the northbound shoulder and crashed into a stop sign and a concrete retaining wall. The force of the crash caused the vehicle to overturn and succumb to his injuries at the scene.

Florida Highway Patrol said the driver was from Sarasota.

May 14, 2025

News: Van plows into Palmetto home, injuring one person

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PALMETTO, FL – One person was left in critical condition after a van plowed into a Palmetto home on 8th Avenue Tuesday, Fox 13 News reports.

North River Fire District and EMS crews were called to the scene and transported the injured individual to a hospital for treatment.

Officials have not specified if the injured person was a home occupant, the driver, or a passenger.

May 1, 2025

News: Girl, 12, hurt in Bradenton pedestrian crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

BRADENTON, FL – A 12-year-old girl was airlifted to a hospital following a pedestrian crash that happened in the West Samoset area Wednesday.

According to My SunCoast, the preteen girl was struck by the vehicle at 15th Street East and 13th Avenue. Preliminary details showed that she was running to catch her bus prior to the collision.

The girl is recovering from foot and left lacerations.

April 24, 2025

News: One hurt as plane crashes into tree in Myakka City

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

MYAKKA CITY, FL – One person was left with minor injuries after the plane they traveled in crashed into a tree Wednesday morning.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office told the Bradenton Herald that the collision happened after 10 a.m. and resulted in a small brush fire. Deputies revealed that the plane had come from a private runway located at 42650 State Road 64 East.

All three occupants were able to safely evacuate the plane after it crashed and did not require hospitalization. Manatee County Fire Rescue crews were able to extinguish the flames.

April 23, 2025

News: Deputy hurt in crash caused by DUI driver in Bradenton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

BRADENTON, FL – A 47-year-old man was arrested for DUI after causing a collision that injured an on-duty Manatee County deputy Sunday.

The impaired driver, identified as William Thomas, drifted off northbound Boulevard West and into the southbound lanes and struck the deputy’s vehicle head-on, CBS 12 said. The impact caused the deputy’s car to overturn.

EMS crews and deputies pulled up to the scene after 11:45 p.m. Ambulance crews took the deputy to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Deputies stayed at the crash site and conducted an investigation. Officials learned that the deputy was about to turn left into the Manatee County Jail when he was hit by Thomas.

March 19, 2025

News: Pilot, passenger hurt in Palmetto plane crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PALMETTO, FL – A 70-year-old male pilot and his passenger, an 86-year-old man, were left with non-life-threatening injuries after their plane crashed into an unoccupied truck Tuesday.

My Sun Coast said the men were in the process of departing Airport Manatee when heavy winds caused their Aeronca Champion plane to descend from the sky and strike a powerline prior to making contact with the other vehicle.

The passenger, Allen Maxwell, was sitting behind the pilot and was able to get out of the plane on his own.

February 25, 2025

News: Woman, 85, fatally hit by car in Bradenton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

BRADENTON, FL – An 85-year-old woman with dementia lost her life after she was struck by a Hyundai Sonata in a Bradenton neighborhood Friday.

The incident unfolded around 5:30 a.m. at the intersection of Woodlawn Drive and Wildwood Springs Boulevard, according to the Bradenton Herald. After the woman was hit, she perished at the scene. Florida Highway Patrol said that prior to the lady getting hit, she collapsed in front of her home. Troopers confirmed the woman had suffered from dementia and was prone to falling regularly.

The female driver, 60 and local to the area, stayed at the scene and said she did not see the victim and was unable to avoid hitting her. Authorities anticipate that she will not face criminal charges.