NOKOMIS – A tragic collision Monday afternoon claimed the life of an 18-year-old motorcyclist from Sarasota, underscoring the dangers faced by motorcyclists on the road.

The accident occurred at approximately 4:47 PM at the intersection of US-41 and Lychee Road. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the young motorcyclist was traveling southbound on US-41 at a high rate of speed when an SUV driven by an 83-year-old Nokomis man attempted to make a left turn onto Lychee Road.

The SUV crossed into the motorcycle’s path, resulting in a collision. The impact was severe, causing the motorcyclist to be thrown from his vehicle. The motorcyclist was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the SUV and a passenger sustained serious injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital.

The Florida Highway Patrol continues to investigate the crash.

A Reminder for Motorcyclists and Drivers

This tragic accident serves as a sobering reminder for everyone on Florida’s roads. Time and time again we have seen Motorcyclists lose their lives in avoidable crashes regardless of who is at fault. We urge motorcyclists to ride defensively, adhere to speed limits, and remain vigilant, especially at intersections where collisions frequently occur.

Drivers must ALWAYS check for motorcyclists, particularly when making left turns. A split-second oversight can have devastating consequences. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

• 42% of motorcycle crashes involving another vehicle occur when a vehicle is turning left across a motorcycle’s path.
• Motorcyclists are nearly 28 times more likely to die in traffic crashes per mile traveled compared to car occupants.

Both motorcyclists and drivers share the responsibility of ensuring safety on the roads. Let this tragedy be a call to action for heightened awareness and care to prevent future accidents.

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