One dead after bike collides with SUV

The motorcyclist was "going fast" before a curve, a witness says.

By Times Staff Writer
Published September 1, 2007

WEEKI WACHEE - A motorcyclist died Friday evening after a head-on collision with an SUV on Cortez Boulevard west of U.S. 19, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The crash occurred about 5:15 p.m. and shut down the main coastal thoroughfare for hours. Authorities were still piecing together the details of the accident and had not identified the victim by Friday night.

Witness Christopher Guntor of Spring Hill said a Suzuki motorcycle passed his vehicle heading east just before it collided with a red GMC Yukon Denali in the middle of a curve in the two-lane road. It was unclear whether anyone in the SUV was injured; however, an emergency medical helicopter was called to the scene to airlift a patient.

"This is the scariest thing I've ever seen in my life," Guntor said. "When I saw it, I couldn't stop shaking."

Guntor, 20, said the road was slick from recent rain. The motorcyclist, who was wearing a helmet, passed him "going fast" in a passing zone immediately before the road curved, he said.

After the crash, traffic was rerouted for a number of motorists heading toward the Pine Island and Hernando Beach communities.

[Last modified August 31, 2007, 20:44:22]