Officer was driving at over 80 mph in crash that killed Sarasota philanthropists, cops say

The Longboat Key police officer who was involved in the December car crash that killed Sarasota philanthropists Charles and Margery Barancik was driving at 84 mph at the time of impact, according to an accident investigation by the Sarasota Police Department.

The officer was driving in the 2100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive while responding to fire alarm call around 6 p.m. on Dec. 18 with emergency lights activated but no siren.

The report ultimately concludes that Charles Barancik, 91, was at fault for pulling out into the officer’s path.

However the report notes that construction equipment left near the intersection had drawn complaints from at least two citizens, including Barancik, that it was blocking the view of oncoming traffic.

Charles Barancik was pronounced dead at the scene . His wife of almost 60 years, Margery Barancik, 83, died the next day.