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38-year-old biker killed in crash with SUV
By Times Staff Writer
Published September 2, 2007
WEEKI WACHEE - Police identified the man killed Friday in a two-vehicle collision on Cortez Boulevard as Earnest V. Parker, 38, of Weeki Wachee. Witnesses said Parker had just passed an eastbound car on his Suzuki motorcyle when he collided with a westbound GMC Yukon around 5:15 p.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The driver of the SUV, 52-year-old Melody W. Isom of Seffner, was flown to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa for treatment of non life-threatening injuries, police said. A passenger, 17-year-old Chad Isom, was treated for minor injuries. Both vehicles came to rest west of U.S. 19 on the shoulder of Cortez Boulevard, which police closed to traffic while they investigated the crash. Witness Christopher Guntor of Spring Hill said Parker passed him "going fast" in a passing zone just before a curve. The road was slick from recent rain, he said. "This is the scariest thing I've ever seen in my life," Guntor said. "When I saw it, I couldn't stop shaking."
[Last modified September 1, 2007, 19:53:28]
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Comments on this article
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by Little Girl
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09/24/07 12:16 AM
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What a wonderful life to loose! Ernie was one of the most caring individules you could have ever met not to metion one of two great brothers I have. There is forever a hole in my heart. I love you Bubba.
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by JLS
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09/05/07 08:07 AM
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To Smartcop. Why don't you all practice what you preach and go by the rules also. U all turn your lights on just to go through a light or stop sign. Look at the poor officer that got killed on Spring Hill Drive, he wasn't obeying the law either.
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by Jodi
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09/05/07 08:04 AM
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We Love and Miss You Earnest V. Parker. We will meet again.
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by A Family Member
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09/05/07 08:03 AM
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He was a family member of mine and I am truely greiving the loss of my loved one. So why doesn't everyone shut up with the rude comments and keep them to yourself. Hopefully you'll never have to go through what I am and then look on here and see this
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by Jodi
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09/04/07 01:41 PM
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I was a very good friend of the man that was killed in the accident and he knew how to ride his bike. he wasn't just learning. Maybe everyone should ask why the lady was on his side of the road instead of sitting here critizing a loved one we lost.
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by smartcop
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09/04/07 01:14 PM
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people rideing should obey the laws inculding not passing just before a curve and keeping your speed within the lotted speed limits even when passing! The motorcycle redier is at fault here and this should be a lesson to all riders to slow down!!!
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by Perrella
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09/04/07 12:28 PM
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I met Earnest for Bike Week 2007. He was a good guy and funny. Instead of everyone talking garbage, why not talk about him resting in peace or talk good about him.How would you like people talking about you god for bid you pass away.
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by avery
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09/03/07 07:11 PM
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anybody riding a motorcycle is nuts. Most of them ride like crazy and either ride too fast or reckless. Stop riding motorcyles fools.
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by Kimberly
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09/03/07 05:14 PM
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Due to a previous job, I had a lot of contact with adults with permanent, serious physical disabilities. Disabilities were caused by diseases & car crashes. People in cars shouldn't believe the hype that they are safe just becauese they're in cars.
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by BOB
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09/02/07 11:19 PM
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read yesterdays posting of story he did have a helmet on but speed on rain slicked roads...in florida they use sea shells mixed in to the tar and they make roads even slicker
and inexperienced driver may be the cause
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by Susan
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09/02/07 09:26 PM
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Alanido,yes he was wearing a helmet & it is a shame that you have nothing better to do with your time then to ridicule the dead, were you there did you see this happen. Maybe you should think about the family & friends that he left behind & shutup!
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by Brian
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09/02/07 12:26 PM
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In response to alanido,he was a friend of my that I worked with, I never saw him not wear a helmet and he was wearing a helmet this this too, but if you hit something going 100 mph on a bike a helmet is not going to do you much good.
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by pj
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09/02/07 12:19 PM
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For the record he wore a hemet but at that speed and impact a suit of armor would not have made a difference. Reckless driving killed this motorcyclist, nothing more! Bikers need to respect their machines and what can happen to them
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by Don
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09/02/07 10:43 AM
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In a hurry to get where? I guess he figured loosing his life was a chance he would take to get to his destination a minute faster. How sad.
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by LSB
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09/02/07 09:39 AM
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Has anyone elsed noticed that there has been 1 motorcycle death per week for the last couple months or so?
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by Chris
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09/02/07 09:36 AM
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Although this sounds like the bikers fault, there are too many idiot drivers in FL to feel safe on a bike. I sold 2 bikes in the last 6 months and won't buy again until I leave Florida. I like living. Also, the painted lines are like ice too.
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by Mike
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09/02/07 09:26 AM
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Cars and bikes do not mix well on any road condition. The bike always looses.
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by Pete
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09/02/07 09:01 AM
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Biker dead at scene, non-threatening injuries.
WHY THE HELICOPTER, WITH A HOSPITAL ONLY 2 MILES EAST???? And non-threatening injuries! Who makes these money generating decisions? Our highly paid HCFR Chief's, not wanting liability?
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by alanido
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09/02/07 08:16 AM
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i'm going to tell everyone just once, wet roads are full of lifted grease and are like ice, and your tires dont stick to grease to well...that was a terrible wreck. impact was over 100 mph..and a good bet says no helmet either, now he dont need it.
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by alaindo
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09/02/07 08:12 AM
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rain soaked road crotch rocket excessive speed and in a hurry to go nowhere fast ,,,bikes dont stick to the road in a grease slick rained on road , i guess it was his first and last fall..shame really people give to much credit to tires i guess.
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