Wife of Holmes Beach Mayor Johnson cited, injured following Bradenton crash
BRADENTON -- The wife of Holmes Beach Mayor Bob Johnson was cited and hospitalized Tuesday afternoon following a crash in Bradenton.
Denise Johnson, 74, was cited for running a red light and unknowingly operating a vehicle while license suspended, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Holmes Beach Commission Vice Chairman Jean Peelen confirmed Johnson was involved in the accident.
"She is not in any life-threatening condition. She has a broken collar bone and she's resting comfortably," Peelen said of Johnson. "All my best wishes go out to her. She's a wonderful person and I hated hearing about it."
Calls to Mayor Johnson were not immediately returned as of press time.
Master Sgt. Dwayne Cooper said in an email to a Herald reporter Johnson's license was previously suspended without her knowledge.
"Moving violation -- not criminal," he wrote.
At 2:28 p.m. Tuesday, troopers were dispatched to the intersection of U.S. 301 and 15th Street East in Bradenton. Manatee County Sheriff's Office units were also on scene.
According to a report, Johnson was driving a 2008 Toyota Prius in a northwesterly direction on U.S. 301 in the left lane southeast of 15th Street East. A 24-year-old Bradenton man driving a 2015 Hyundai Sonata Sport in a northerly direction was in the left lane of 15th Street East, just south of U.S. 301.
FHP troopers said Johnson's vehicle entered the intersection the same time as the other driver and the front of her vehicle collided with the front right side of the Hyundai. Johnson then ran off the roadway to the right before colliding with a one-way sign and a light pole where her vehicle came to rest.
At the intersection, the one-way sign lay on the ground between two deep grooves in the grass.
The other driver suffered minor injuries. Both were transported to Manatee Memorial Hospital, according to a report.
The front of the Hyundai was damaged so severely different parts under the hood were exposed, including a slashed windshield washer reservoir.
The Prius had a large dent on its left side and its left-side door was completely detached.
"They used jaws of life and whatnot to cut her (Johnson) out," said Shawn Shelton of Bradenton-based Norman's Towing, who was on scene to help tow the vehicles away.
By 3:42 p.m., both vehicles had been towed away.
Amaris Castillo, law enforcement/island reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7051. Follow her on Twitter@AmarisCastillo.
This story was originally published October 13, 2015 at 6:46 PM with the headline "Wife of Holmes Beach Mayor Johnson cited, injured following Bradenton crash ."