New Port Richey Man Dies After Crash

A New Port Richey man is dead after a vehicle crash on State Road 54, west of Little Road.

Deceased is Jon Kelly Swoager, 46, the Highway Patrol announced Wednesday afternoon.

In the morning, a “hatchback-type” vehicle switched from the center lane to the middle lane as it traveled east on State Road 54, according to the Highway Patrol. It traveled in front of a 2010 Nissan Sentra driven by Tampa resident James Profita. Profita steered to avoid the vehicle and lost control of his car.

The Sentra crossed the median into westbound traffic. It’s front end crashed into the front of a Chevy Scottsdale pick-up truck driven by Swoager.

Swoager was taken to Community Hospital, where he died, according to the Highway Patrol. Profita was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital with serious injuries.

The “hatchback,” of unknown make, model and driver, left the scene and was least seen headed east on State Road 54, according to the Highway Patrol.