A late-night ride on Southern Boulevard ended in tragedy Thursday in West Palm Beach, when a 22-year-old motorcyclist was killed after his bike collided with an SUV turning at Southern Boulevard and Caroline Drive. The rider was thrown from the motorcycle and pronounced dead at the scene, while the SUV driver was not reported to have serious injuries. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said it has opened an investigation into the crash.
According to CBS12, deputies said the motorcycle struck a turning Mitsubishi SUV at the intersection and the rider died on impact. CBS12 reported details from local WPEC broadcast coverage and attributed the primary scene information to the sheriff’s office.
Scene And Victim
WFLX identified the motorcyclist as 22-year-old Jeferson Varela and reported that he was headed west at a high rate of speed around 9:30 p.m. when the crash occurred. That account says the motorcycle hit the passenger side of the SUV, throwing Varela from the bike and causing the SUV to overturn. The SUV’s driver got out with no reported injuries.
Southern Boulevard's Safety Record
Southern Boulevard has seen several high-profile and deadly crashes in recent years. In November 2024, three Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office motorcycle deputies were killed in a separate collision along the same corridor. Coverage of the crash that killed three deputies also highlighted ongoing local debate about traffic enforcement, speeds and overall roadway safety on Southern Boulevard.
Investigation
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate Thursday night’s collision, and early reports did not indicate that any criminal charges had been filed, according to CBS12. Reporters say investigators are still gathering evidence and reviewing any available video from nearby cameras as they work to piece together exactly what happened in the moments before the crash.
