BROOKSVILLE — Two people died late Monday in a head-on crash on U.S. 19 after one of the drivers was traveling the wrong way on the highway, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Tracy Schroeder, 44, of Spring Hill in Pasco County, was at the wheel of a 1997 Ford sedan that was going south in the northbound inside lane south of Seville Parkway about 11 p.m.
Schroeder smashed into the 2005 Nissan sedan being driven by Jaimin Patel, 39, of Crystal River. Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
According to his uncle Max Patel, Jaimin Patel had just finished his work day at the Comfort Inn in Weeki Wachee and was heading north toward his home in Crystal River when the accident occurred.
Max Patel said the family was mourning the loss of his nephew.
"It's a tragedy for us," Patel said. "He was a very nice fellow. Everybody liked him. He will be greatly missed."
Patel, a principal owner of the Port Hotel and Marina in Crystal River, said his nephew worked as the food and beverage manager at the hotel's Ale House Restaurant for several years. More recently, he was a business representative for the Maya Hotel Corp. in Crystal River, which owns hotel interests in Hernando, Citrus and Sumter counties.
Attempts to reach Schroeder's family Tuesday were unsuccessful. However, a check of her driving record showed that she was arrested April 5 in Columbia County for driving under the influence.
FHP said the accident is under investigation.
Logan Neill can be reached at lneill@sptimes.com or (352) 848-1435.
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