Fatal accident closes University Parkway for investigation

After a fatal accident on University Parkway had closed part of the roadway on Saturday morning, an investigation has concluded and lanes were open just before noon. 

The westbound lanes of University Parkway were closed at Honore Avenue. The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office sent out a flash report at 9 a.m. noting the accident and the road closure.

Henry Valentino, 48, of Venice, driving a 2006 Ford Mustang, was killed. A Florida Highway Patrol report stated that Valentino ran the red light at University and The Park Boulevard, colliding with a tractor-trailer driven by Myakka City's Gerald Milford Zehr, who was not injured. 

Valentino was pronounced dead at the scene.

It was the second fatality in the area on Saturday.

Early Saturday morning, the Florida Highway Patrol reported a fatal accident on I-75 just north of SR 64. 

Bradenton's David McCarty, 35, was killed when his 2004 Chevy Avala collided with a 2013 Kia Optima driven by Wimauma's Tamera Holmes, 43, overturned several times and hit a fence at 636 67th St., Circle East by Cracker Barrell.

A FHP report said McCarty changed lanes from the center to the right while driving southbound and did not see the Optima. McCarty was transported to Blake Hospital. Holmes was taken to Lakewood Ranch Hospital with minor injuries.