U.S. 19 traffic snarled as authorities investigate serious pedestrian crash

CLEARWATER — A pedestrian was critically injured Thursday afternoon when she was hit on U.S. 19. The accident, which occurred around rush hour, caused northbound traffic to back up for miles.

Ivonne B. Ramos-Solis, 58, of Clearwater, was crossing the highway between Belleair and Nursery roads just before 5 p.m. when she was hit by a vehicle driven by Terry L. Howell, 63, of Ohio, said Elizabeth Watts, the city's public safety spokeswoman.

The crossing signal was activated as Ramos-Solis was going across the street, Watts said. Howell was headed eastbound on Nursery Road attempting to turn north on U.S. 19 when he struck the woman, she said.

Ramos-Solis was flown to Bayfront Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. No charges were filed, though an investigation was in progress.

Authorities shut down the northbound lanes of U.S. 19 at Belleair Road for a couple of hours as they investigated. Delays also were reported on the southbound lanes because of rubbernecking drivers, Watts said.