Good Samaritan Will Recover After Terrifying Accident

BROOKSVILLE – The woman who nearly sacrificed her own life trying to help an elderly woman cross Cortez Blvd this afternoon is going to be okay, according to family.

Diane Conigliaro reached out to R News just minutes ago and said, "My daughter Ashlee Bell is ok she is alive and for that I'm grateful."

33-year-old Ashlee Bell stopped to help a 69-year-old Brooksville woman cross Cortez Blvd in front of Oak Hill Hospital (HCA Brooksville) when they were struck by a driver who was attempting to avoid slowing traffic.

Sadly, the older woman did not survive the accident.

Bell was listed in serious condition, but her mother says she will make a full recovery.

"I am beyond proud of my daughter. She is a strong, kind, caring young woman," says Conigliaro.

Original Story:

A Kind Gesture Leaves One Person Dead and Another Injured

BROOKSVILLE – One person is dead, and another seriously injured, after they were struck by a vehicle while crossing Cortez Blvd.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 69-year-old Brooksville woman was attempting to cross Cortez Blvd, east of Medical Center Blvd (Oak Hill Hospital Entrance) when a 33-year-old Spring Hill woman stopped to help her cross. Officials say traffic slowed to allow the pedestrians to cross the busy roadway, but they were both struck by an 80-year-old Weeki Wachee man driving a pickup truck, who tried to go around the pedestrians in another lane.

The 69-year-old woman later died at a nearby hospital and the 33-year-old woman is listed in serious condition.