Crime & Safety

Taxi Cab Crash: 1 Killed, 2 injured

A Wednesday evening crash in Palm Harbor claimed one life and sent two people to the hospital with serious injuries.

PALM HARBOR, FL — The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash that occurred on U.S. 19 and Royal Boulevard Wednesday evening.

According to the agency, Joseph Castro Jr., 37, of Clearwater was driving a taxi north on U.S. 19 just before 7 p.m. Jan. 4. The taxi was in the left turn lane approaching Royal Boulevard, a highway patrol report said.

As that time, a Ford Mustang driven by Brandon Brooks, 20, of Largo was heading south on U.S. 19 in the inside travel lane.

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Troopers say the cab turned left into the path of the Mustang. The front end of Brooks’ car struck the passenger side of the taxi.

Castro and two passengers in his taxi were taken to a local hospital following the crash. Troopers say Mignonne Coyle, 71, of Ontario, Canada, died later from her injuries. Frank Coyle, 72, also of Ontario, and Castro were last listed in serious condition.

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Brooks and his passenger were not injured in the crash, the report said.

Charges are pending the outcome of the investigation. No further information is being released at this time.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol

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