A Friday night collision in Lafayette County killed two Lake City residents when their motorcycle crashed into a boat being towed by a pickup truck, according to troopers. The wreck happened around 8:30 p.m. at the intersection of U.S. Highway 27 and County Road 53, west of Mayo, and both riders - a 64-year-old man and a 61-year-old woman - were pronounced dead at the scene. The occupants of the pickup were not injured, and emergency crews temporarily shut down the roadway while investigators worked.
What troopers say
The Florida Highway Patrol reports that the pickup pulled into the intersection from a stop sign while towing a boat, and the eastbound motorcycle on U.S. 27 then struck the boat, as reported by Action News Jax. Both riders died at the scene. Troopers said the crash remains under investigation, and the people inside the pickup were not hurt, according to the release cited by the station.
State crash data and context
State traffic records show motorcycle crashes and fatalities remain a persistent safety concern in Florida, particularly on rural highways and at intersections, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles' Traffic Crash Facts 2023. The report breaks down crash types and county-level counts and highlights how vulnerable road users are affected in rural counties. Safety experts point to visibility issues, right-of-way errors and the challenges of towing as common contributors to intersection collisions.
Investigation ongoing
Troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol are continuing to investigate and have not publicly released the victims' names, Action News Jax reported. Officials are expected to review physical evidence and any available video or witness statements as they work to reconstruct what happened. The FHP has said it will release more information once the investigation is complete.
