WOMAN INJURED IN GULF COVE CRASH

A PORT CHARLOTTE WOMAN WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT IN SOUTH GULF COVE YESTERDAY.  THE FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL SAYS 46 YEAR OLD JEFFREY COOK OF ENGLEWOOD WAS NORTHBOUND ON ST. PAUL DRIVE NORTH OF MANGO CIRCLE JUST AFTER NOON WHEN HE LOST CONTROL OF HIS 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE.  THE BIKE OVERTURNED SEVERAL TIMES, THROWING COOK AND 44 YEAR OLD MELISSA STRICKLAND TO THE GROUND.  STRICKLAND WAS TAKEN BY MEDSTAR HELICOPTER TO LEE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WITH SERIOUS INJURIES, WHILE COOK REFUSED TO BE TRANSPORTED AFTER SUFFERING MINOR INJURIES.  TROOPERS SAY NEITHER RIDER WAS WEARING A HELMET.  COOK WAS CITED FOR CARELESS DRIVING.