Man Acting ‘Erratically’ Struck By Vehicle On Tampa Road

OLDSMAR, FL — The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a pedestrian-versus-vehicle crash that left a 28-year-old Clearwater man injured Wednesday night.

According to the agency, a man went into the Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar at 4016 Tampa Road around 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25. The man, later identified as Juan Rivera-Aguilar, told management to call the police, but ran out of the restaurant and into traffic before deputies could respond.

“Witnesses said that Rivera-Aguilar ran into the eastbound lanes of Tampa Road and he proceeded to stop traffic by beating on the hoods of several vehicles for no apparent reason,” an email from the agency said. As Rivera-Aguilar was standing in the eastbound median lane of Tampa Road, he was struck by a 2006 Toyota Highlander.

Deputies say the driver of the Highlander, Sheldon Power, 33, did not see Rivera-Aguilar.

“Several witnesses at the scene said Rivera-Aguilar was deliberately jumping in front of vehicles traveling eastbound on Tampa Road just before he was struck,” the email said. Rivera-Aguilar was also not in a crosswalk, the email noted.

Rivera-Aguilar was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Powers was not injured.

Deputies say the crash remains under investigation. No further information is being released at this time.

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