Sarasota philanthropists Charles and Margery Barancik killed in Longboat Key crash

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

LONGBOAT KEY — Charles and Margery Barancik, who are among Sarasota’s most generous philanthropists, were fatally injured Wednesday evening in a collision with a law enforcement vehicle.

Charles Barancik, 91, was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. His wife Margery, 83, died Thursday night in the hospital, according to their foundation.

The accident occurred in the 2100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive at about 6 p.m. A Longboat Key Police officer was also hurt, but his injuries were not life-threatening.

“They were leaving their condo, apparently pulled out in front of a fire truck that was passing and behind it was police,” said Teri Hansen, CEO of the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation.

The Sarasota Police Department described her condition after Wednesday’s crash as “a trauma alert,” in serious condition. She was undergoing treatment at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

The name of the officer is being withheld, the news release stated.

The socially conscious family foundation has an extensive and diverse reach. Beneficiaries have included the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Jewish Family Services, Planned Parenthood, the Library Foundation for Sarasota County, the Sarasota County School District, All Faiths Food Bank, the Manatee Community Foundation, Ringling College of Art + Design, and the State College of Florida Foundation.

Trained as a CPA, Charles Barancik made a fortune by acquiring and operating manufacturing companies from his native Chicago. He and Margery were married in 1960.

At approximately 6 p.m. Wednesday, a Tesla driven by Charles Barancik was entering Gulf of Mexico Drive from a private residence. A marked patrol vehicle from the Town of Longboat Key Police Department was traveling south in the 2100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive — about three miles north of the New Pass Bridge — when it struck the Tesla on the driver’s side.

The driver of the police vehicle was working and responding to a call at the time of the crash.

SPD spokeswoman Genevieve Judge said the New Pass Bridge was briefly closed after the crash but has reopened. Traffic was rerouted around the scene through Harbourside Drive.

Town of Longboat Key Police Chief Peter Cumming went to the hospital to check on the welfare of the police officer.

Cumming provided a brief update on the officer on Thursday morning but would not elaborate on referred question about the investigation to the SPD.

“He (officer) is recovering and we expect him to recover,” Cummings said.

Editor’s note: This story was updated with the news that Margery Barancik died Thursday night.