Fatal crash triggers safety discussion

A recent pedestrian fatality on Gulf of Mexico Drive has generated discussion about how to make the Key safer for both pedestrians and bicyclists.

Town officials will meet with Florida Department of Transportation representatives to explore measures that could make the Key safer for pedestrians and bicyclists, including the possible installation of additional crosswalks on Gulf of Mexico Drive, said Town Manager David Bullock.

“There’s a long history of discussing crosswalks that hasn’t really gotten that far,” Bullock said.

The meeting has not yet been scheduled. However, a traffic crash report released this week details the events that led up to Longboat Key’s first pedestrian fatality in nearly seven years.

The report states that Jo Schatterman, 73, of Elk Grove Village, Ill., was returning from St. Armands Circle on the 6:15 p.m. trolley Jan. 27, with her sister, Myra Sandler. Sandler told police the trolley dropped them off at a stop across the street from Sandler’s unit at the Islander Club in the 2200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive. Because of heavy traffic, they waited until the left side of the road was clear and walked into the middle lane and waited until they thought they could cross the rest of the road.

Sandler said they could see headlights, but they appeared far away. She said she had almost finished crossing the road, thinking her sister was behind her, when she heard a “thud.”

A sport-utility vehicle driven by Petar Sibinkic, 36, of Sarasota, struck Schatterman, who, according to police “was dressed in a black jogging-type outfit and wearing a black ball cap.” Sibinkic told police that he moved Schatterman to the side of the road, fearing that she would be struck by another vehicle.

The first 911 call was recorded at 6:32 p.m. Longboat Key police and firefighters arrived on scene and attempted to provide treatment, however, Schatterman was pronounced dead at 6:38 p.m. A Sarasota Police Department traffic homicide unit investigated the crash.

The report states Sibinkic refused to be interviewed without his attorney. Police wrote that they gave him the chance to contact an attorney, however, he declined. Sibinkic showed no signs of impairment, and his vehicle’s minimum speed was 30 mph at impact, according to the report.

Witness George Davis told police he was a passenger in a vehicle traveling northbound on Gulf of Mexico Drive and saw something get hit but wasn’t aware it was a person until he got out of the vehicle to check on the incident.

According to Bullock, the town will consider multiple options for increasing safety.

“It’s impossible this time of year to drive the length of the island without seeing dozens of pedestrians and bicyclists trying to cross the street,” Bullock said. “What we’re trying to see is, is there some way to make that whole effort safer?”

Tunnel vision
Town and Florida Department of Transportation officials will meet to discuss ways to promote pedestrian and bicycle safety, including the possible future installation of crosswalks. In the meantime, however, Longboat Key Police Chief Al Hogle wants to promote a safe way of crossing Gulf of Mexico Drive of which he believes few Key residents and visitors are aware: a tunnel that stretches underneath the road in the 1900 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive near Seaplace condominium.

“It’s a great idea for pedestrians and bicycles,” he said.

Hogle said that many parts of the Key have minimal lighting because of turtle regulations.

“My guess is, there are a lot of pedestrians and bicyclists who probably do not have any idea that it exists,” he said.