Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Motorcyclist critically injured in high-speed wipeout

Moments later, about a half-mile away, a second biker crashes.

By Times staff
Published March 14, 2007

CLEARWATER - A 34-year-old New Port Richey man was in critical condition Tuesday after losing control of his motorcycle Monday night on Clearwater Memorial Causeway, police said.

The 9:21 p.m. crash happened as two motorcycles headed from Clearwater Beach toward the mainland at a high rate of speed, police said.

Witnesses told police that the motorcycles, though moving fast, did not appear to be racing when the wreck took place.

Clearwater police spokesman Wayne Shelor gave this account of the crash:

One motorcycle, a 2006 Kawasaki sport bike driven by Michael Alan Kegg, veered toward the road's southern shoulder. Kegg lost control of the bike and was thrown off when the motorcycle reached the grass.

As of Tuesday morning, police had not determined why Kegg lost control of his motorcycle.

Kegg, who lives on Jahr Avenue in New Port Richey, was found moments after the accident on the concrete shoulder of the highway by Clearwater police officers who were nearby when the crash occurred. Officers gave him first aid until the Clearwater Fire & Rescue arrived.

Rescuers first thought Kegg's injuries were not life-threatening, but his condition deteriorated and he was flown to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg.

Within moments of the first accident, the second motorcycle speeding toward mainland Clearwater also crashed about a half-mile east of the first wreck, police said.

Witnesses told police that the 2005 Kawasaki sport bike had slowed and was not speeding when it hit a slick spot and its rear tire slid on the pavement, police said.

Motorcyclist James A. Fink, 29, of Holiday was thrown to the road and his bike tumbled toward the raised median and crashed into a light pole, causing extensive damage. Fink was not hurt. Police cited him for driving with unsafe equipment because the rear tire of his motorcycle had no tread.

The crash closed the eastbound lanes of the causeway to all traffic for about four hours.

[Last modified March 14, 2007, 07:52:31]