Motorcyclist Killed In Traffic Light Mishap

Ocala News reported recently that a Dunnellon motorcyclist was killed Tuesday morning at a busy Ocala intersection after colliding with a pickup truck that slammed on its brakes to avoid running a red light.

The incident occurred, according to sources from the Ocala Police Department, at the intersection of N.E. 8th Avenue and E. State Road 40 on the morning of Tuesday, November 24. A pickup truck was traveling south on N.E. 8th Avenue and stopped in the left turn lane to turn onto westbound E. State Road 40. When a vehicle started to move in the next lane, the pickup driver thought the light had turned green and began to move.

The driver then realized the light was red and slammed on his brakes, coming to a stop in front of a motorcycle driven by a 37-year-old man. The rider locked up his brakes and then tried to lay the bike down to avoid the impact, but was unable to stop before striking the pickup. While he was wearing a protective helmet, he still sustained critical injuries and died at a local hospital.

The Ocala Police Department is conducting a full investigation, including accident reconstruction and witness interviews, before determining if charges will be filed.