A high-speed gamble on Interstate 4 turned deadly last evening when a 26-year-old Lakeland motorcyclist was killed trying to squeeze between two tractor-trailers on the westbound side of the highway, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Troopers say the rider lost control just west of State Road 566, was hit by a tractor-trailer in the center lane and died at the scene. The crash happened around 5:45 p.m. yesterday.
Investigators are treating the wreck as a hit-and-run and are asking for witnesses or dashboard-camera footage, according to Tampa Free Press. The outlet reports troopers identified the rider as operating a Yamaha and said he attempted to "lane-split" between the two trucks. Troopers say the tractor-trailer that struck him did not stop and continued westbound on I-4.
Anyone with information is asked to call *FHP (*347) from a mobile phone or contact their local FHP troop. The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles site lists those reporting options on the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles contact page. Troopers say they hope dashboard-camera footage will help them pin down the semi and its driver. FHP also reminds motorists not to stop in active travel lanes and to move to a safe location before trying to help at a crash scene.
How Troopers Say the Crash Unfolded
According to investigators, the rider was traveling at a high rate of speed when he came up on two tractor-trailers running side by side in the center and outside lanes. Troopers say he tried to pass between them, lost control and went down, Tampa Free Press reports. He was then struck by the tractor-trailer in the center lane and pronounced dead at the scene, while the semi kept heading west without stopping, according to FHP.
Legal Consequences for Leaving the Scene
Florida law requires drivers involved in crashes that cause a death to stop and remain at the scene. Leaving a crash that results in death is a first-degree felony and can trigger mandatory minimum prison sentences in some circumstances, per Florida Statutes. If troopers are able to identify the truck and its driver, prosecutors could pursue felony hit-and-run or related charges.
What Witnesses Can Do
Troopers are urging anyone with video or information from Wednesday evening to hang on to unedited footage and call *FHP (*347) or their local FHP troop. Contact details are available through the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles site. Investigators are still canvassing the stretch of I-4 west of SR-566 as the inquiry continues, and no arrests have been announced.
