A PORT CHARLOTTE MAN DIED AFTER HE WAS HIT BY A VAN LAST NIGHT.  THE FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL SAYS 70 YEAR OLD KILMER GREEAR OF PUNTA GORDA WAS SOUTHBOUND IN THE CENTER LANE OF US 41 NEAR HARBOR BOULEVARD JUST BEFORE 9PM WHEN HE HIT 80 YEAR OLD JACK KNIES AS HE WAS CROSSING THE SOUTHBOUND LANES OF 41 NORTH OF HARBOR BOULEVARD.  TROOPERS SAY KNIES ENTERED THE SOUTHBOUND CENTER LANE INTO THE DIRECT PATH OF GREEAR’S VAN.  KNIES WAS TAKEN TO CHARLOTTE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER WHERE HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD.  GREEAR AND HIS WIFE MARGARET WERE NOT INJURED.  NO CHARGES WILL BE FILED IN THE ACCIDENT.