Sarasota philanthropists killed in Longboat Key traffic crash with police car

Sarasota philanthropists Charles and Margery Barancik were killed when their car was hit by a Longboat Key police car Wednesday evening on Longboat Key, according to Sarasota police.

Barancik, 91, was a well-known and generous philanthropist whose family has donated to a variety of causes, including the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, the Library Foundation of Sarasota, All Faiths Food Bank, the Manatee Community Foundation, Jewish Family Services and more.

Barancik was pronounced dead a the dead at the scene and Margery, 83, his wife of almost 60 years, was taken to a hospital where she died a short time later.

The officer was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

According to Sarasota police, the officer, whose name has not been released, was responding to a call at about 6 p.m. in the 2100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive when the officer’s vehicle collided with Barancik’s Tesla as the couple were leaving their residence.

The Sarasota Police Department has a memorandum of understanding with the Longboat Key Police Department to assist with traffic investigations.

Sarasota police said the incident remains an active investigation. Anyone with information can call officer Tim Bales at 941-915-3635 or leave a tip with Crime Stoppers at 941-366-TIPS.

The couple’s foundation Facebook page was soon flooded with an outpouring of sympathy.

This story was originally published December 19, 2019 at 10:39 AM.