Police Investigate Crash That Killed Coach

Orlando Police investigators are still trying to figure out what caused Thursday night's crash that took the life of Orlando Predators coach Fran Papasedero. He was driving on Sand Lake Road near Kirkman at about 10:15pm, when he lost control of his Lexus sedan. The car rolled several times and he was thrown from the vehicle.

The Fran Papasedero Memorial Fund

Proceeds benefit Fran's two-year-old daughter Vivian and can be made at any Orlando branch of AmSouth bank or by dropping off or mailing a donation to the Predators office, c/o Keli Davis, 4901 Vineland Road, Suite 150, Orlando, FL 32811. Please make checks payable to: Fran Papasedero Memorial Fund. Orlando Predators Coach Killed In Crash This was a death that, by several accounts, could have been avoided. Speed and not wearing a seatbelt are two things that police suspect may have contributed to the crash. These are two things we learned have been problems for Papasedero in the past.

It had been raining out and the roads were wet. Predators coach Fran Papasedero was heading east on Sand Lake Road near Kirkman in his Lexus ES300. Other drivers nearby say they saw him coming up from behind in their taillights and at a rapid pace.

"One of the eyewitnesses account was the vehicle was coming as he looked in his rear view mirror, was coming up and getting close to him at a high rate of speed," explains Sgt. Orlando Rolon, Orlando Police Department.

The car began to fishtail. Papasedero hit a raised median and shot across it, hitting the curb, and then the car began flipping. Police say it rolled four times and Papasedero was ejected from the car, which went another 50 yards before ending up upside down in a ditch.

The car, now at a police impound lot, will be scoured for any mechanical defects. Police will also await toxicology tests to see if Papasedero had been drinking.

One answer they already have is regarding the seatbelt. Papasedero, they say, who was ejected through the sunroof, wasn't wearing his. It isn't the first time.

Over the past 5 years, Papasedero had been cited at least three times for speeding and, perhaps most importantly police say, twice for not wearing a seatbelt.

Investigators will now re-interview those witnesses as well as wait on the toxicology results. They say there's no telling how long it will take and say they'll treat it just like any other traffic homicide.

Previous Stories: June 20, 2003: Orlando Predators Coach Killed In Crash