Motorcycle wreck victim dies from injuries

Suwannee Democrat

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Rita Ragans died Friday in a Gainesville hospital from injuries sustained in a motorcycle wreck last month. Courtesy photo

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June 2, 2011

Driver of bike released from hospital Tuesday

Stephenie Livingston Suwannee Democrat The Suwannee Democrat Thu Jun 02, 2011, 10:18 AM EDT

Live Oak — A victim in last month’s tragic Branford motorcycle accident succumbed to her injuries last week, close friends say.

Rita Ragans, 49, of Madison, died last Friday from injuries she sustained in a May 15 wreck.

Ragans and the driver of the Harley-Davidson, Randall Scott, 53, of Lee, were injured after the motorcycle they were riding was hit by a car at the intersection of CR 49 and Hwy. 27 on May 15 near Branford.

Friends say Ragans passed away at Shands in Gainesville last Friday morning.

“Rita was happy all the time and never met a stranger. She had the greatest personality of all,” said Ragans best friend and co-worker Vicki Baldwin.

Ragans began in 1999 as a cook at the Waffle House in Madison. Baldwin said she and Ragans had been co-workers, friends and fishing buddies for years. Ragans’ co-workers at the restaurant, Baldwin said, were like her family.

“She was just a great gal. Rita was a beautiful, outgoing person,” an emotional Baldwin said from by phone from Waffle House.

Ragans also cared for her mother, according to Baldwin.

Ragans was listed in fair condition at Shands Gainesville last week, a hospital spokesperson said. It is unclear why Ragans condition worsened.

Scott was released from Shands Tuesday, friends said.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the Harley-Davidson was heading southbound on CR 49 May 15 entering the intersection with Hwy. 27 around 3:05 p.m. Heading eastbound on Hwy. 27 was a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero, driven by Alice Schebel, 61, Punta Gorda who entered the intersection and collided with the right side of the motorcycle.

FHP reported that neither Scott or Ragans were wearing a safety helmet and suffered serious injuries as a result of the crash.

They were both life flighted to Shands.

Schebel sustained no injuries, according to FHP.

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