A tragic incident unfolded late Saturday evening on the Gandy Bridge when a motorcyclist was thrown into Tampa Bay after colliding with an SUV, which led to his subsequent death. WFLA reports that the Florida Highway Patrol confirmed the accident occurred around 10:35 p.m., involving a 23-year-old Pinellas Park man and a 41-year-old Orlando man.
A speeding motorcyclist hit a Hyundai Tucson from behind on the bridge near the Pinellas County line. The motorcycle then crashed into the barrier wall, caught fire, and threw the rider into the water below. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not yet released the names of those involved.
Efforts to recover the motorcyclist were made by the Tampa Police divers who found the man deceased in the bay. The driver of the SUV sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital, as per ABC Action News.
The Gandy Bridge area was temporarily compromised as a result of the accident, causing lane closures and traffic disruptions. The bridge has since been cleared and reopened for regular travel, according to FOX 13 News.
