Teen's Condition Upgraded After Crash That Killed Captain

The teenager involved in a crash that killed a Hernando County sheriff's captain has improved, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Andrew Frank Morris of Weeki Wachee was upgraded to fair condition at St. Joseph's Hospital, Sgt. Steve Gaskins said. He had been listed in critical condition on Friday.

The 16-year-old drove a 2002 Mitsubishi Montero head-on into Capt. Scott Bierwiler's unmarked 1999 Ford Crown Victoria cruiser on Powell Road in Brooksville about 5:45 a.m. Thursday, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

No details have been released about why Morris, a student at Nature Coast Technical High School, was on the road that early. Bierwiler, a 22-year veteran of the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, was on his way to work.

Several aspects of the crash remain under investigation, said Gaskins, noting that the full review will take about 90 days.

Meanwhile, friends and family are remembering Bierwiler. The public is invited to this week's services, a sheriff's office spokesman said.

Visitation is 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. today and Tuesday at St. Theresa's Catholic Church, 1107 Commercial Way, Spring Hill.

The funeral Mass is 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at St. Theresa's.

Interment will immediately follow the Mass at Florida Hills Cemetery, 14354 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill.