HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — A motorcyclist was killed on Saturday after a crash ejected him from his bike and off the Gandy Bridge, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) stated.
According to an FHP report, a Hyundai Tucson, driven by a 41-year-old Orlando man, was traveling westbound on the Gandy Bridge at about 10:35 p.m.
At the same time, a 23-year-old Pinellas Park man was driving a Honda CBR1000RR motorcycle westbound on the bridge at a high rate of speed, troopers said.
The motorcyclist then collided with the rear of the SUV near the Pinellas County Line.
Upon impact, the motorcycle struck the outside barrier wall and burst into flames, throwing the victim into Tampa Bay, patrol officials said.
The rider was later recovered by Tampa police divers and pronounced dead at the scene.
The Tucson driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to an area hospital.
'Cruise lights' on Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office patrol cars raise questions, confusion among drivers
Every driver knows that when you see red and blue flashing lights on a patrol car, you slow down, pull over, or get out of the way.
But in Hillsborough County, drivers will also now see deputies with their lights on, but not flashing. They're called "cruise lights," and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) recently implemented their use on all patrol vehicles.
