A woman who was visiting Longboat Key died Friday night after a Jeep sport-utility vehicle struck her as she attempted to cross Gulf of Mexico Drive.

A Longboat Key police report identified the pedestrian as Jo F. Schatterman, 73, of Elk Grove Village, Ill., and the driver as Petar Sibinkic, 36, of Sarasota. Sibinkic is the owner of Your Fitness Instructor.

Longboat Key firefighters and police responded to the scene about 6:30 p.m. in the 2300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive. According to a news release, Schatterman was attempting to cross the road heading toward the Islander Club. The release identified Sibinkic as a “Longboat Key businessman” and said that he was headed home from work southbound on Gulf of Mexico Drive and attempted to avoid striking Schatterman but was unable to do so. Sibinkic stopped immediately to render aid and call 911.

Firefighters and police attempted to provide treatment, however, Schatterman died at the scene. Family members of both Schatterman and Sibinkic came to the scene, the release states.

Read more in the Feb. 2 issue of the Longboat Observer.

Contact Robin Hartill at rhartill@yourobserver.com.

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