A night ride on U.S. 19 in Citrus County last night turned deadly when a 37-year-old Ocala woman was thrown from her motorcycle and then struck by an SUV, according to state troopers. The crash happened on the northbound side of the highway just south of West Sugar Bush Path, and the rider was pronounced dead at the scene. Neither of the other drivers reported injuries.
How troopers say the crash unfolded
According to the Tampa Free Press, citing the Florida Highway Patrol, the woman was riding an Indian Scout in the center lane around 8:25 p.m. Saturday when she moved into the inside lane to pass a Jeep Cherokee towing a small utility trailer.
Troopers say her motorcycle struck the trailer, throwing her off the bike and into the center lane of U.S. 19. A Ford Escape traveling behind then hit her as she lay in the roadway. Investigators identified the Jeep driver as a 54-year-old Crystal River man and the Ford driver as a 53-year-old Crystal River man. Portions of U.S. 19 were shut down Saturday night while the Florida Highway Patrol processed the scene.
Investigation and road impacts
Per the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, official crash reports are filed through the state’s crash portal and can take up to 10 days to be released to the public.
Troopers continue to examine the circumstances of the crash and have not yet released additional details about possible contributing factors such as speed, impairment or helmet use. Drivers in the area dealt with lane closures overnight during cleanup and the on-scene investigation.
Broader safety context
Regional traffic-safety records show Citrus County recorded 30 fatal crashes through Dec. 29, 2024, with run-off-road incidents among the most common fatal crash types. It is another reminder of how exposed riders are on high-speed corridors like U.S. 19.
The West Central CTST meeting minutes note a spike in fatal crashes in Citrus County and outline engineering and enforcement steps under consideration to improve safety along key corridors. Safety advocates also warn that passing near vehicles towing trailers can add risk, since trailers can cut down visibility and create sudden, unforgiving obstacles for motorcyclists.
What’s next
Authorities are still working on notifying the rider’s next of kin, and a full incident report is pending as the Florida Highway Patrol completes its investigation. Witnesses or anyone with relevant video are urged to contact FHP. Instructions for obtaining the official crash report will be available through the state crash portal once the report is finalized.
This story will be updated when troopers release the woman’s name or announce any potential charges.
