Published November 23, 2006
One of the drivers in a two-car crash on Alt. U.S. 19 near Curlew Road on Tuesday has died.
Louise M. Westenfield, 53, of Ozona was driving south on Alt. 19 about 4 p.m. Tuesday when her Chrysler PT Cruiser crossed the center line and smashed into Rick Gertsen's 1997 Cadillac.
Westenfield later died at Mease-Dunedin Hospital.
Gertsen 51, of Palm Harbor remained at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa on Wednesday. His injuries were not life-threatening, sheriff's officials said.
When the crash occurred, two people were on cell phones, telling authorities of Westenfield's erratic driving, officials said.
The callers reported that Westenfield had struck curbs near Tampa Road and had crossed the center line while speeding up and slowing down.
Gertsen was wearing a seat belt but Westenfield was not, according to the preliminary investigation.
An autopsy will be performed to determine how Westenfield died. That could help explain why she was driving erratically.
Westenfield had won awards in several local writing competitions for poetry and prose, including the 2005 Letters Contest for the Clearwater branch of the National League of American Pen Women Inc.
Sally Caron, a neighbor, said Westenfield was a flight attendant with US Airways who had four well-mannered children in their teens and in college.
Caron said she is shocked to hear about the erratic driving.
"She was the most cautious driver I have ever known," Caron said. "She was always the only one who drove slowly down our street."
[Last modified November 22, 2006,
this erratic driving that they are talking about sounds nothing like her. i flew many times with louise to mad. this is the horrible news . usairways has lost a great flight attendant and the world has lost a absolutely genuine human being. my thought's and prayers go out to her twin daughters, son and boyfriend. i just can't beleive this.
One of the drivers in a two-car crash on Alt. U.S. 19 near Curlew Road on Tuesday has died.
Louise M. Westenfield, 53, of Ozona was driving south on Alt. 19 about 4 p.m. Tuesday when her Chrysler PT Cruiser crossed the center line and smashed into Rick Gertsen's 1997 Cadillac.
Westenfield later died at Mease-Dunedin Hospital.
Gertsen 51, of Palm Harbor remained at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa on Wednesday. His injuries were not life-threatening, sheriff's officials said.
When the crash occurred, two people were on cell phones, telling authorities of Westenfield's erratic driving, officials said.
The callers reported that Westenfield had struck curbs near Tampa Road and had crossed the center line while speeding up and slowing down.
Gertsen was wearing a seat belt but Westenfield was not, according to the preliminary investigation.
An autopsy will be performed to determine how Westenfield died. That could help explain why she was driving erratically.
Westenfield had won awards in several local writing competitions for poetry and prose, including the 2005 Letters Contest for the Clearwater branch of the National League of American Pen Women Inc.
Sally Caron, a neighbor, said Westenfield was a flight attendant with US Airways who had four well-mannered children in their teens and in college.
Caron said she is shocked to hear about the erratic driving.
"She was the most cautious driver I have ever known," Caron said. "She was always the only one who drove slowly down our street."
[Last modified November 22, 2006,
this erratic driving that they are talking about sounds nothing like her. i flew many times with louise to mad. this is the horrible news . usairways has lost a great flight attendant and the world has lost a absolutely genuine human being. my thought's and prayers go out to her twin daughters, son and boyfriend. i just can't beleive this.
