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Kaitlyn Bearup, 15, killed and Robert L. Vandemheen, 43, Timothy Jacob Vandemheen, 17, and Robert Allen Vandemheen, 16, injured in car crash at 16th Street and Piedmont Avenue in Zephyrhills, Florida

Modified Date: 
Thu, 10/01/2015 - 2:19pm
Accident Date: 
Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Teen died in 3-vehicle crash in Zephyrhills

A teenage girl died Wednesday in a three-vehicle crash on 16th Street at Piedmont Avenue, the Florida Highway Patrol said. 

Zephyrhills crash leaves one dead, four injured

Robert L. Vandemheen, 43, was attempting to change lanes at the intersection of 16th Street and Piedmont Avenue when he lost control of his Chevrolet C1500. The pickup struck a Chevy Silverado in the next lane. After impact, the C1500 continued moving, and struck several trees before spinning, crossing back over the road and colliding with a parked car.

15-year-old girl killed in accident in Zephyrhills

Vandemheen suffered critical injuries in the accident. Another passenger, Timothy Jacob Vandemheen, 17, of Zephyrhills, also suffered critical injuries.

Teen killed, four people hurt in Zephyrhills collision

About 3:34 p.m., a 2000 Chevrolet C1500 pickup truck driven by Robert Lubbert Vandemheen, 43, of Zephyrhills was northbound on 16th Street and approaching the intersection with Piedmont Avenue when it attempted to pass a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Alexis Rodriguez, 31, of Zephyrhills, FHP said.
Kaitlyn Bearup, 15, of Zephyrhills, was riding in a Chevrolet pickup that rear-ended another vehicle, hit several trees and then collided with a parked car. The driver, two other passengers, and the driver of the pickup were hospitalized.
Why every fatality from a crash is not legally a wrongful death

After someone dies in a motor-vehicle accident, grieving family members and friends are often left with many questions. What caused the accident? Could it have been avoided? What do they do now that their loved one is gone?

Sometimes a fatal collision happens through no one's fault. Crashes caused by weather and road conditions, or by wildlife in the roadway, are examples. But when a fatal crash is caused by negligence, then family members should pursue a wrongful death claim, to uphold the victim's rights and begin the financial recovery process. Learn more about wrongful death claims here.

Type: Car Accident
Topics: 
Rear-End Collisions
People Involved: 
Kaitlyn Bearup
Robert L. Vandemheen
Robert Allen Vandemheen
Timothy Jacob Vandemheen
Roadway: 
16th Street and Piedmont Avenue
City: 
Zephyrhills, FL
County: 
Pasco County, FL
Area: 
Tampa-St. Petersburg, FL

Comments

Submitted by A FRIEND on Thu, 06/11/2015 - 8:20am
Accidents happen everyday, and it is not like this driver set out to harm much less kill one of these kids. The driver of this truck has a life long punishment.... knowing someone who was in the vehicle has died, that is something this person has to live with everyday of their life. The images that will keep replaying in their head and ya can't stop them.... isn't that punishment enough. Yes I know the people involved in this and I know how much these kids are loved, there was never an intention to harm any of them.... If she felt that there was any chance of bein harmed I am sure she wouldn't have gotten in that truck. Therefore she must have trusted all of them.

Submitted by David brown on Mon, 06/15/2015 - 5:53am
NO ACTUALLY ITS NOT ENOUGH JUST FOR HIM TO LIVE WITH!!!. That is a residential street with kids and older folks riding bikes walking dogs etc.. The speed limit is 30mph, he had to have been doing 80. It happened just south of my driveway. It is willful neglengent homicide when an asshole chooses to drive 40 or above in a 30mph zone. If it were my daughter he wouldn't make it to court

Submitted by Snp on Fri, 10/27/2017 - 8:48pm

I agree with you 100%. Why the he'll would he be driving 80 in a residential place and why the hell would he even take that risk with his children in the car and someone else's child. Your right he would not have made it to court.

Submitted by JB on Thu, 06/25/2015 - 12:16pm
This was not an "accident" - he knew drinking and driving could lead to a crash but he decided to take a chance of hurting or killing someone so that he could drink, drive and be reckless.   A 15 yo has lost everything she had and everything she could have had,  her family and friend's lives are forever changed and even his family will suffer.  You say "accidents happen" - go to her funeral and explain that to her parents.  

Submitted by Snp on Fri, 10/27/2017 - 8:51pm

Amen to that . I had a feeling he was drunk because that's all he does is drink and now this beautiful young lady 15 years old is gone . Horrible Robby.

Submitted by Family Members ... on Sat, 06/13/2015 - 9:08pm
So it sounds as if you are blaming the 15 year old child for their death by trusting an adult to drive safely and responsible? Have you been to the scene to see the aftermath of the vehicle that was moving at a HIGH rate of speed?

Submitted by Donna Rose on Tue, 06/23/2015 - 6:16pm
Yes, I have seen the big trees that were damaged by this accident. that drunk driver had no buisness speeding in a residential area where  the limit is 30 mph, with no reguard of the children in his truck. that girl did not have to die  that day. he needs to get the fullest extent of the law. he killed that  girl.  

Submitted by Someone who kno... on Fri, 10/27/2017 - 9:01pm

Yes yes yes he should have gotten D.U.I. man slaughter. He didn't care about these children noooooo way. He had his own children in there along with a young girl 15 years old. Why the helllllll is he not behind bars? All he cares about is drinking. If he had one ounce of good in him he WOULD NEVER DRIVE DRUNK with his own boys a nd his boys girlfriend. God has you man your day is coming. He is free and he killed a girl , what about people that didn't commit a crime I'm saying no names, but it's bullshit that he killed a girl and walks free but someone I know didn't commit a crime at all but she is in prison because of the people that did it . They have nothing on her no D.N.A. nothing but YOU KILLED SOMEONE YOU EFFING LOSER

Submitted by The Aunt on Sat, 06/13/2015 - 9:22pm
​the damage to 7, seven, count them.... SEVEN trees, and then proceeding to careen across the road and then push a parked car for 15 feet, well this was not an accident.  This was irresponsibility pure and simple. The accident report will show exactly what this idiot has done. I will keep your forgiving naive opinion in mind as I watch my brother over his daughters casket. 

Submitted by Donna Rose on Tue, 06/23/2015 - 6:28pm
To Kaitlyns family,, I am so very sorry for your loss. although I never met Kaitlyn, from the news and computer, she seemed like a sweet girl who made friends easily. may god bring your family peace and understanding in his ways. I pray for all of the Bearup family. amen 

Submitted by The other Aunt on Sat, 06/13/2015 - 9:36pm
Maybe everyone should goggle his police record. See what he has been arrested for. Has there been jail time served? I have. I have come to my conclusions.

Submitted by A Local on Sun, 06/14/2015 - 9:20pm
May God be with all families involved and fill their hearts with forgiveness and love in this tragic time. I too have children and can not begin to imagine what either of the families are going through but keep in mind God will not take you until he has prepared your room, he was ready for this beautiful Angel to come home. May God bless the family and friends involved and see through the recovery of the ones whom are still in the hospital.

Submitted by Michelle on Tue, 12/08/2015 - 11:36am
How dare you blame God. God does not take anyone! In his word the bible, God calls death the enemy. Babies die and killers live long lives. God doesn't choose them.... God says that time and unforseen circumstances occur to everyone. Also people do reckless things and die .....don't put God to blame because of their foolish choices

Submitted by SNB on Fri, 10/27/2017 - 9:06pm

Amen amen amen. It's not God's fault IT'S THE SO CALLED MAN NAMED ROBBY WHO WAS DRUNK.

Submitted by A mother on Thu, 06/25/2015 - 1:35pm
There are so many people you could all blame. In the end, does it matter? It won't bring her back to us. What about her mother? There's a reason courts take children from their mother, maybe she wouldn't have been here at all. What about her dad? For letting her leave the house? Be realistic, blaming everyone is like blaming her dad for trusting people, it's not the truth or his fault in any way. If you feel you need to, look for the truth, but in the end it won't matter, a beautiful Angel is still in heaven sooner than we all expected. Live like she would, think like she would, think what her heart would want, she's the one who paid the heaviest price, shouldn't it be about who she was? Kaitlyn didn't spread hate, vengeance, or guilt. Kaitlyn forgave everyone of their trespasses, promoted peace and smiled away! Maybe we should all do the same, in her name, for Kaitlyn's loss, stop being selfish about what you lost, Kaitlyn lost the most!

Submitted by #IDGT on Sat, 03/05/2016 - 12:00am

Fly high Baby girl. Your legacy will live on forever, Hopefully heaven is treating you well sweet girl. 

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