Crime & Safety
Sarasota Man Killed In University Parkway Crash
A 61-year-old Sarasota man is dead following a Tuesday crash on University Parkway.
SARASOTA, FL — The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle crash on University Parkway that left a man dead Tuesday morning.
According to the patrol, Mark O’Brien, 61, of Sarasota was heading eastbound on University Parkway in the center lane around 7:53 a.m. Feb. 7. At that time, Michael Roger Bakken, 50, of Sarasota was also headed in that direction, but was just ahead of O’Brien in traffic.
Troopers say as the two vehicles approached Honore Avenue, Bakken slowed, but O’Brien did not. O’Brien’s vehicle struck the rear of Bakken’s, a highway patrol report said.
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O’Brien died following the crash, the patrol’s report said. Bakken suffered minor injuries, but his 16-year-old passenger was unharmed.
Charges are pending the outcome of the investigation. No further information is available at this time.
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Photo courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol
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