Five-year-old airlifted after car crash

A 5-year-old boy riding a bicycle was airlifted to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg after he was struck by an oncoming vehicle.

According to Florida Highway Patrol reports, at about 1:45 p.m. Feb. 15, the boy was riding a bicycle southbound on Lockwood Ridge Road through the intersection at University Parkway in the crosswalk on the east side of the intersection. Tyler Bowser, driving a 2001 T800 Cab, was eastbound on University Parkway in the right lane approaching a green traffic signal at Lockwood Ridge Road. The boy continued southbound through the crosswalk and into Bower’s path, the report states.

Bowser attempted to brake but was unable to avoid the boy. The front left of his truck collided with the right side the boy, and he was ejected from his bicycle. The boy was not wearing a helmet. There were about 151 feet of skid marks from Bowser’s vehicle, the report states.

The boy was taken by helicopter to Bayfront, where he is listed in critical condition.