A 23-year-old Port Charlotte man was killed Monday when his motorcycle collided with a utility-style vehicle on El Jobean Road in Charlotte County, shutting down eastbound lanes of State Road 776 near Kerrigan Circle while first responders worked the scene. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the site, and the other driver was rushed to a nearby hospital with serious injuries.
Crash details and investigation
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the rider was on a 2019 Suzuki heading east when the motorcycle changed lanes and struck the side of a Gator utility vehicle. The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office reported that eastbound lanes on SR 776 at Kerrigan Circle were closed during the response, as first shared by Gulf Coast News.
Troopers said both men were ejected in the impact. The 23-year-old motorcyclist died at the scene, while the 65-year-old Port Charlotte man driving the utility vehicle suffered serious injuries and was taken to an area hospital. Investigators are still working to determine how fast the motorcycle was traveling and what other factors may have contributed to the crash.
Official records and statewide context
Official crash reports in Florida are handled by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, and copies can be requested through the agency’s online Crash Portal.
Statewide numbers underscore how deadly motorcycle wrecks often are. Florida recorded 621 motorcycle fatalities in 2023, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, highlighting the outsized share of fatal injuries that involve riders on two wheels.
A dangerous stretch
El Jobean Road has seen deadly motorcycle crashes before. In December, a 19-year-old rider was killed in a collision on the same SR 776 corridor, a case that also drew attention to conditions along the route, Gulf Coast News reported.
Riders and safety advocates have pointed to recurring problems along the roadway, including frequent left-turn conflicts and high speeds at several intersections, as ongoing risk factors for serious crashes.
Neighbors and next steps
Neighbors who spoke with reporters at the scene said the utility-vehicle driver works for El Jobean Water. Authorities have not yet released the names of those involved, and are waiting to do so until next-of-kin notifications are complete.
The Florida Highway Patrol plans to release a full crash report once reconstruction and review are finished. When it is finalized, the record will be available through the state’s crash portal.
Officials are asking anyone who witnessed the collision or who may have video from the area around the time of the crash to contact the Florida Highway Patrol or Charlotte County law enforcement. More information is expected as investigators continue their work.
