Driver's medical issue likely led to Longboat Key crash, police say

Driver's medical issue likely led to Longboat Key crash, police say

An 80-year-old driver likely experienced a medical episode behind the wheel on Tuesday, leading to a serious crash on the north end of Longboat Key, police said.James W. Gardner, of Longboat Key, was taken to Blake Memorial Hospital by ambulance with cuts and contusions after the 2:40 p.m. incident in the 7100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive, just south of the Longboat Pass Bridge. Gardner was trapped inside the BMW 330X sports-utility vehicle for…