Florida Automobile Accident Claims Life of Visiting Artists
Robert and Paulette Kirkpatrick, both 63, of Phoenix, were killed in a Florida car accident in West Miami, Fla. on Feb. 18.
The accident occurred shortly after they attended the opening of an art show in Naples where Robert Kirkpatrick’s work was displayed, said their son, Steve Kirkpatrick, also of Phoenix.
The Kirkpatricks’ Chevrolet Cobalt was hit by a Toyota Tacoma truck driven by Thomas Cypress, 54, according to a Florida Highway Patrol. Cypress was charged with two counts of DUI manslaughter Feb. 19, according to reports in the Miami Herald. His blood alcohol level was .249, three times the legal limit. He had three previous drunken driving arrests and a suspended license, the Miami Herald reported.
Robert Kirkpatrick retired about 10 years ago as chairman of the art department at Perry Hall High School, Steve Kirkpatrick said. Paulette Kirkpatrick retired from Perry Hall High School seven years ago as English department chair. She had also taught at Dulaney and Owings Mills high schools, he said.
The Kirkpatricks moved from Towson to the Summer Hill neighborhood of Phoenix in 1994. After retirement, Robert painted fulltime and Paulette was a Master Gardener with the state’s Cooperative Extension Service and a member of the Maryland Horticulture Society, her son said.
His parents were on their way to the Florida Keys following the art show, he said.
“They loved the outdoors and wanted to snorkel on the Keys,” Steve Kirkpatrick said. “They looked forward to hiking and seeing the birds and alligators.”
He said funeral arrangements are not completed, but will be with Ruck Funeral Home in Towson.
The Kirkpatricks are also survived by a daughter, Jennifer Kirkpatrick, of Halethorpe.
We can not help but ask why Thomas Cypress was still allowed to drive after having 3 prior DUI arrests as well as a suspended license? While an answer to this question will not bring back this couple nor negate the loss felt by their children and other family members it could prevent this type of needless accident from happening to someone else in the future.
News Source: Towson Times
