Dunedin Publix turned tragic yesterday afternoon when a 71-year-old driver struck an 83-year-old pedestrian in the parking lot. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Major Accident Investigation Team is currently investigating the incident, which involved Mary Canfield, the driver, and Carol Spezzano, the victim. According to the WFLA report, the collision occurred at roughly 3:00 p.m. yesterday at Publix located at 1491 Main Street.
While attempting to reverse her Volkswagon Tiguan to allow another vehicle to exit a lane, Canfield inadvertently hit Spezzano, who was pushing her shopping cart through the crosswalk. As a result, Spezzano fell, "hit her head on the pavement," and was taken to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries, as noted in a statement by deputies given to WFLA. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office shared a brief post on X confirming that deputies are looking closely into the vehicle versus pedestrian crash.
Further details from a Tampa Free Press report state that investigators do not believe speed or impairment were factors in the crash. The Sheriff's Office has informed Spezzano's next of kin about her condition, and the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash is ongoing.
This accident has highlighted the potential risks that parking lots can pose to pedestrians, especially during seemingly mundane activities such as grocery shopping. Efforts to ensure the safety of both pedestrians and drivers in such shared spaces undoubtedly need to continue to be a focus for both individuals and community planning. For those wishing to follow the progress of the investigation, updates are expected to be provided by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, which has been actively investigating the incident since its occurrence, according to their post on X.
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team investigate a vehicle versus pedestrian crash in Dunedin.
— Pinellas County Sheriff's Office (@SheriffPinellas) February 10, 2025
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