Holmes Beach pedestrian crash

Police vehicles block the intersection May 12 at Marina and Gulf drives, where a truck driven by Michael Ritchie, 43, of Bradenton, collided with two pedestrians crossing Gulf Drive, according to Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer. The incident was reported around 1:45 p.m. Officers from the Holmes Beach Police Department arrived first to the scene and called the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office for an assist. Manatee County Emergency Medical Services transported the injured pedestrians, Miriam and Deborah Trotter of Holmes Beach, to HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton. Deborah Trotter was treated and released the same day, while Miriam suffered critical injuries and was on life-support as of May 15. Tokajer said the pedestrians had the right of way in the crosswalk. The driver, Ritchie, was cited for “failing to yield right of way to pedestrian at intersection with traffic control device,” according to the HBPD. Tokajer also said he could not recall an injury at the intersection since he became chief 10 years ago. The intersection previously had no crosswalks. They were added in the 2022-23 city center improvement project, which is still ongoing. Islander Photo: Courtesy HBPD