A 45-year-old Groveland man died early today after his motorcycle ran off State Road 408 and slammed into a guardrail, according to authorities. The crash shut part of the westbound lanes near State Road 50 (East Colonial Drive) shortly after 1 a.m. Troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol responded, and the investigation is ongoing.
What troopers say
According to WESH, the Florida Highway Patrol reported the rider was on a 2021 Harley-Davidson Road Glide when he veered off the roadway and struck a guardrail. Troopers said he was taken to a hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. Authorities have not released the victim’s name or the cause of the crash.
Where and when it happened
FHP records reviewed by ClickOrlando place the collision at about mile marker 22 on SR-408, west of State Road 50. The crash happened around 1:23 a.m. Saturday, while the rider was traveling in the outside lane. Officials said the motorcycle left the roadway to the left before hitting the guardrail.
Conditions and context
FOX 35 Orlando noted there were overnight showers in the region and reported that the crash happened as thousands of motorcyclists were in the state for Daytona Bike Week. Troopers did not say whether the weather or increased traffic played any role. The Florida Highway Patrol said the crash remains under investigation.
SR-408's safety record
State Road 408 has seen a string of serious and fatal collisions in recent years, including a December 2024 crash that killed a driver, as covered in a December 2024 crash that killed a driver. Crashes like these underscore how dangerous high-speed urban expressways can become when a vehicle leaves the roadway.
Inside Lake first reported the Groveland rider’s death and identified the hospital as AdventHealth East. We will update this story if the Florida Highway Patrol releases additional details or the rider’s name. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and the Groveland community.
