Mar 16, 2004

2 Killed In Accident After Eluding Deputy

By GEORGE WILKENS
gwilkens@tampatrib.com

TAMPA - A Dodge Daytona Turbo that eluded authorities after running a red light early Tuesday sped through another signal moments later, causing a collision that killed both occupants.

The victims of the 1 a.m. crash at the intersection of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and 131 Avenue were identified as Brandon Swenson, 21, of 9808 Takomah Trail, Tampa, and Alicia Bennington, 19, a University of South Florida student from Sarasota.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Deputy James Ennis activated his patrol car emergency lights after the 1986 Dodge ran the signal at the Fletcher Avenue and N. Palm Drive intersection on the northern edge of the USF campus. The driver later identified as Swenson quickly accelerated onto campus.

Ennis turned off the emergency lights after determining the Dodge was not stolen, but continued searching, said Sheriff's Lt. Rod Reder. When Ennis next spotted the car, about two minutes later, it was spinning from the impact of the collision that occurred as the Dodge exited campus onto Bruce B. Downs, Reder said.

The Dodge was struck broadside by a 1993 black Lexus sedan southbound on Bruce B. Downs. Driver Adolphus Adams, 48, of 4108 E. 97 Ave., Tampa, was treated at University Community Hospital, and released, Reder said.

The impact of the collision pushed the back end of the Dodge into a utility pole on the southwest corner of the intersection, on the edge of the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital property.

Ennis attempted to render aid, but both occupants of the Dodge were killed upon impact, Reder said.

Reder said Ennis adhered to departmental policy of not engaging a pursuit for traffic offenses.

Bruce B. Downs was closed to traffic in both directions until 7 a.m.