According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, a non-profit organization that represents state highway offices, motorcyclist fatalities were down in 2017 compared to 2016. The year saw almost 5,000 deaths on motorcycles, which was 300 fewer than the previous year. This is a 5.6% decrease, but motorcyclists are still overrepresented in all traffic fatalities. Motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die in a crash when compared to passenger vehicle occupants. Further statistics reveal that 25% of motorcyclists who were killed in traffic crashes in 2016 had a BAC that was higher than 0.08%. Marijuana intoxication is also factoring into DUI crashes with more states legalizing recreational use.
WPTV reports that a motorcyclist was killed in a multi-vehicle crash in Martin County. The accident occurred last Tuesday evening on October 29th. It happened on the 2000 block of Citrus Boulevard near SW Boatramp Avenue. The Florida Highway Patrol reported that two motorcycles and a 2000 Ford Ranger were traveling west on SW Citrus Boulevard. A third vehicle was traveling eastbound on Citrus Boulevard.
In the area where the crash occurred, SW Citrus Boulevard is a two-lane road with double yellow lines, indicating a no-passing zone. Both motorcycles were riding side-by-side and both attempted to pass a vehicle in the no-passing zone. They entered into the eastbound lane, directly into the path of a Nissan Maxima. A collision occurred where the front of the motorcycle being driven by 55-year-old Theresa Lindenfelser of Port St. Lucie collided with the Nissan Maxima. The Nissan also hit the other motorcycle. A fourth vehicle, a Ford Ranger, was able to swerve but ended up traveling off-road and overturned.
Lindenfelser was pronounced dead on the scene. The driver of the second motorcycle sustained critical injuries. According to the crash report, neither of them was wearing a helmet. The driver of the Nissan also suffered from serious injuries. The driver of the Ford Ranger and their passenger both sustained minor injuries.
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