Tragedy in the Deihl family....

[carolwicks]

This was Bobby D wife brother and his wife that was killed in a car crash friday and there 4 year old granddaughter is i the hospital still not doing well. I got this from bay new 9

http://www.baynews9.com/news/local-headlines

Gary LaPlant has tried to post this and couldnt so I hope you all get this message and convey your condolences to the Deihl family. a horrible tragedy.

Bobby, Sylvia, and Cara... I am so sorry for your loss. ;-(

carol Wicks

[Rick B.]

Sorry to hear

I will be praying for the whole family as they deal with this sad time.

[flvideo]

I'll pray!

I am so sorry for your loss Bobby. I will pray for you and your family for peace and comfort. If theres any thing I can do please don't hesitate to call Bobby. God bless...

[Bigbuck]

BobbynI am so very sorry buddy!!!

[Circledude]

Our prayers and thoughts are with you Bobby and your family. Team LRE SLM#8

[UREZ2PASS]

Bobby you and your family are in my prayers. Very sad news.

[billy badd]

You and your family are in our prayers. billy

[Bobby Diehl]

Thanks!!!!

Some times we forget to do things that means the most. Please hug your family's You never know what's at the next red light. I came on the board to get away from the empty feeling deep inside my gut. The man that cause the accident blacked out. He has a medical problem, but it is to bad they gave his licence back after he had a serious crash in 2007 that injury many people just three block away from the spot Webster and Nancy lost their life.
The racing Family is each and every one of our own extended Family. THANKS!!!!! There is so much strength in PRAY POWER. The Grand Daughter Kaylee needs us now. She is in very bad shape (shaken baby syndrome). She has tubes and machines hooked up top her every where. And will be on a very long road the recovery. Thanks for the LOVE and prays. It's hard but coming on this board, but gives us strength.

[gary laplant]

My prayers go out to Sylvia Diehi (Bobby Diehi wife) and her Family for there loss over the weekend. I have learn this week that the Nancy Farnsworth a Plant Ctiy High School Teacher and Webster Farnsworth were killed in a crash at Hillsborough Ave. and Habana Ave. Webster Fransworth is Sylvia Brother. Also In the car crash was there 4 year grand daughter she is still in the hospital in serious condition. She need all the prayers she can get.

[Cara]

Praying for the family. I am sorry for your lost and pray the little girl makes a quick recovery.

[Bobby Diehl]

Makes no scents????

Makes know scents???
This was thestory from TBO yesterday.

TAMPA --
Eric Dewayne McNeil, the man involved in a crash that killed a Plant High School teacher on Friday, has a medical condition that prompted state officials to revoke his drivers' license twice over a three-year period, records show.

During that time, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles sent letters to McNeil asking for his doctor to complete medical reports that could, pending a review by state officials, allow his license to be reinstated.

McNeil finally got his license back in December after the department's medical advisory board completed its review of his case.

"They recommend approval of your driving privilege," the letter said. "In view of above, you may keep the license in your possession."

Then, on Friday, McNeil apparently lost consciousness while driving a 2010 Dodge Ram pickup on Armenia Avenue near Hillsborough Avenue, Tampa police said. The pickup veered off the road, plowing into two traffic signs.

The truck then ran a red light and struck a 2003 Dodge Caravan, killing Nancy Farnsworth, 54, a longtime math teacher at Plant High School and her husband Webster Farnsworth, 63. Their 3-year-old granddaughter Kaylee suffered a head injury and is still being treated at St. Joseph's Hospital.

McNeil, 42, has a valid driver's license and insurance, police said. He has not been charged. Detectives continue to investigate if a medical issue caused the crash and if criminal charges are appropriate, police spokeswoman Andrea Davis said.

McNeil could not be immediately reached for comment.

A relative of Nancy Farnsworth said the state's review board shouldn't have reinstated McNeil's license because of the medical issue.

"They gave him back the weapon that killed a family, a 6,000-pound weapon," said Bobby Diehl, Farnsworth's brother-in-law. "He shouldn't have been on the road."

Diehl said he isn't sure if the family is considering a lawsuit. Right now, they're dealing with both Kaylee's recovery and planning a funeral for Nancy and Webster Farnsworth, he said.

A memorial service for the Farnsworths will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5 at Bay Area Church of Christ, 11414 Giddings St. in Mango, according to a Facebook page set up through Plant High School.

The school's football team will honor the couple by wearing helmet stickers during Friday's game against Armwood and again during the Panthers' home game on Nov. 10.

A crash involving McNeil and similar circumstances occurred on Sept. 25, 2007, three-tenths of a mile from where the Farnsworths died on Friday. McNeil was driving 30 mph on Armenia Avenue near Hillsborough when he blacked out for "unknown medical reasons," according to a 2007 Tampa police crash report.

McNeil's 2001 Dodge struck a vehicle that was coming to a stop. The Dodge then rolled into a parking lot and struck two more vehicles.

No one was seriously hurt in the crash. Police didn't cite McNeil, but a report suggested he be re-examined by state licensing officials.

That's when the correspondence between the licensing department and McNeil started. The first letter to McNeil on Oct. 30, 2007, told him that "this department has received information suggesting you may have a medical problem that might affect your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle."

The letters do not specify what McNeil's medical condition is. His medical history is protected by privacy laws and is not available as a public record, said highway safety spokeswoman Ann Howard.

The state asked McNeil to submit a medical report from his doctor and treatment records from the hospital where he was taken after the September 2007 crash. McNeil had to submit the reports within 45 days or his license would be revoked, the letter said.

It appears McNeil followed those requests. The board reviewed his case that year and recommended on Jan. 18, 2008 that he keep his license once he passed "the vision, written and extended driving (in traffic) examination." Officials asked that McNeil submit another medical report in six months.

McNeil failed to do so and his license was temporarily revoked on Nov. 20, 2008. The state's medical review board reaffirmed that decision on Dec. 18 of that year when it wrote to McNeil and told him, "you are unsafe to drive due to your medical condition" and that he would be "eligible for reconsideration when you have been under a doctor's care."

His license was reinstated by June 2009 but it was again revoked in August 2010 after McNeil failed to submit his medical reports to state officials on a regular basis. By December, it appeared McNeil followed the medical board's requests for records and after a review, allowed him to regain his driver's license.

"No follow-up reports are required," according to the last letter sent to McNeil on Dec. 28, 2010.

rreyes@tampatrib.com (813) 259-7920

Please hug your Family every day. You never know sharing the roads with us!
Thanks for the support and prays the whole Family needs it.

[carolwicks]

Bobby...

there are probably more people driving that shouldnt be than there are drunks on the road. people with serious medical problems. Unfortunately the elderly have no other means to get around and do what they need to do so the law turns away from that issue.
If a person has medical conditions that make them unsafe on the roads, doctors should have a right to report it. but then they have the sacred duty to keep medical conditions quiet for the patients rights. so is there a solution?
Its such a tragedy what happened to Sylvias brother, wife and grandchild. The pain has to be aweful. Know that alot of people are praying for them and hopefully they will be compensated to help defray the bills incurred. it wont take away the pain... only some of the pressure.
Please give my love to Sylvia and call when you get a chance.
Much love
carol

[Bobby Diehl]

Thanks!!!

Thanks to everyone. The power of pray is the GREATEST!!!! Kaylee has a very long road to recovery as does the whole Family. It is one day at a time. And it's unclear of far she can get back. And please keep the prays coming. Believe me it helps.

[Joanne Lucas]

Prayers

So sorry to hear this...Paul heard it right away at school where he teaches and had no idea it was a relative of yours. Our prayers are with you and your family and keeping the Faith on your granddaughter.
Wondering why this man got behind the wheel is beyond me...but it happened and we have to help you and your family as much as you need.
We are here, Paul and Joanne
JPRACING45@AOL.COM