Crime & Safety

2 Teens Killed in Moon Lake Crash

The Florida Highway Patrol says the New Port Richey girls died at the scene.

Two teenage girls from New Port Richey are dead following a July 2 crash on Moon Lake Road.

Courtney Lynn Little, 17, was driving south on Moon Lake Road around 4:45 p.m. She was at the curve near Bethwood Avenue when she lost control of her car “for unknown reasons,” said Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Steve Gaskins in an email to the media.

Little’s vehicle went into a spin and traveled into the northbound lane and was struck by a Dodge Dakota driven by James William Butz, 53, of New Port Richey. The front of Butz’s truck struck the passenger side of Little’s vehicle.

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A third vehicle driven by James Robert Ryan, 49, of New Port Richey was also involved in the crash. Ryan was able to steer into the northbound shoulder, but still suffered minor injuries Gaskins said.

Little and her passenger, Kimberlee Kathy Markou, 16, both died at the scene.

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Butz and his passenger, Judith Ann Stein, 49, both suffered serious injuries and were taken to Bayonet Point Hospital for treatment.


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