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'It Sounded Like A Sonic Boom'

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By GEORGE WILKENS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 17, 2008

PLANT CITY - A woman living near the scene of a Sept. 3 collision that claimed the life of a 51-year-old Plant City native and lifelong resident said the impact sounded like a sonic boom.

David Lee Green of 1405 Tennessee St. died in the 9 p.m. accident at Morgan and Louisiana streets, Plant City police reported.

Green was westbound on Louisiana Street in a 1980 Chevrolet that was struck on the passenger-side rear quarter-panel, said Master Patrol Officer Tommy Morris, supervisor of the department's traffic unit.

A 1992 Pontiac southbound on Morgan Street and driven by 19-year-old Jontavious Johnson of Lakeland ran the stop sign, causing the collision, Morris said.

The impact caused Green's two-door sedan to spin clockwise before striking a large tree, the officer said. Green's driver-side door apparently flew open before his car hit the tree, and it appeared Green was not wearing a seatbelt.

Green was dead at the scene; Johnson was not injured, Morris said.

The investigation is continuing, including blood-alcohol test results and measurements to determine the vehicles' speeds, Morris said. The posted limit on the narrow residential streets is 30 mph.

"He lives within hollering distance from where he was killed," said Margaretta Wise, friend and neighbor of the Green family.

She dialed 9-1-1 after hearing the collision one block from her Tennessee Street home.

"It didn't sound like a crash; it sounded like a sonic boom," she said.

Wise, 69, said speeding and running stop signs is an ongoing problem in the neighborhood west of Park Road between Alabama and Alsobrook streets.

A memorial to Green surrounds the tree where his car came to rest, marked with flowers, balloons, sympathy cards and remembrances written on T-shirts.

The items were placed during a well-attended Sept. 10 candlelight vigil at the accident scene. Green was a graduate of Marshall High School.

His relatives couldn't be reached for comment.

Reporter George Wilkens can be reached at (813) 865-4433 or gwilkens@tampatrib.com.

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