A couple riding a motorcycle in the Ocala National Forest crashed on a curve. Ocala News reported on the incident.

According to the report, the driver was on southbound SE 180 Avenue near North Lake in the forest. The bike slipped on a curve and overturned several times, throwing him and his passenger off.

The driver died at the scene and his passenger was critically injured. Neither had been wearing helmets at the time of the crash.

This is another tragic example of what happens when motorcyclists crash without a helmet. You never know when an accident might happen, and it’s often a matter of if, not when, for motorcycle riders. Without that layer of protection, there’s nothing between you and the hard ground. Helmets are built to take the brunt of the shock so your head stays in one piece. This can save your skull from cracking open on the pavement and reduce brain injuries.

Wearing a helmet reduces the risk of a fatality by 37% and reduce head injuries by 69% according to the CDC. It just makes sense to wear one. Add other protective gear like pads and leather and you can enjoy the freedom of the road with a much lower risk of injury and death.