Scooter driver, 65, critically injured when he's hit by SUV driver, 73, troopers say

A 65-year-old man is in critical condition after he was hit while riding a scooter Tuesday morning in New Port Richey, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Gustavo Alonso, of Port Richey, was riding a red 2014 Taoi scooter when he was hit by 73-year-old William Lannes Reid, of New Port Richey, driving a 2014 Jeep Wrangler, troopers said. Reid was driving north at 10:25 a.m. on Little Road, approaching Ross Lane, when he hit Alonso's scooter from behind.

Alonso was taken to Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point in critical condition, troopers said. He was not wearing a helmet.

Reid was ticketed for careless driving, troopers said. The crash was not alcohol related.

Contact Paige Fry at pfry@tampabay.com. Follow her on Twitter @paigexfry.