2 cyclists die in collision on causeway

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 2, 2000

CLEARWATER -- A man and a woman on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle were killed Tuesday night when they crashed on Memorial Causeway on their way to Clearwater Beach shortly after 8 p.m.

Police think the two were speeding as they headed west across the causeway. After they passed Island Way, the entrance to the Island Estates subdivision, they lost control at a curve in the road, said Clearwater police spokesman Wayne Shelor.

The motorcycle slammed into a guardrail along the northern side of the causeway. It kept going, hugging the guardrail, until the two riders were thrown over the guardrail and onto a grassy area.

Themotorcycle continued westward for more than 100 yards -- one of the reasons police think high speed was a factor in the crash.

"It was clear, it was dry. It was not raining at the time of this wreck," Shelor said.

Paramedics administered first aid to the riders, but both died at the scene. Their names were not released, pending notification of their families.

Neither rider was wearing a helmet, but police couldn't say whether helmets would have saved their lives; both had suffered massive injuries, Shelor said.

Police diverted all westbound traffic away from Memorial Causeway, directing drivers south to Belleair Causeway.

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