Motorcyclist dies in accident

TARPON SPRINGS -– A motorcyclist was killed Sunday when he hit a sport utility vehicle that was turning in front of him.

The 37-year-old man was not identified, pending notification of his family.

According to Tarpon Springs police, the man was eastbound on Tarpon Avenue about 12:22 p.m. when his 2003 Honda motorcycle hit the left front of a 2007 Toyota SUV driven by 18-year-old Matthew Gravens, who was making a left turn onto Tarpon from Japonica Avenue.

The man died at the scene. Police are still investigating.

Police said investigators were reviewing witness statements and evidence at the scene to determine how fast the vehicles were traveling.

Rita Farlow and Luis Perez, Times staff writers

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Comments

[Wolf]

Another case of a motorcyclist being killed by someone making a left turn. I have been riding for 40 years and I see it every day. People just do not look for motorcycles or they think they have enough time to get out of the way. Is a few seconds of your time, worth a motorcyclists life? Please look twice, Save a life, Motorcycles are everywhere. Especially now with the state of the economy, more people are riding bikes every day. Please look out for us.

[Al]

The human body is not designed to hit things at 50+ mph. I drive a car.

I love motorcycles and I hate that motorcyclists die. However, I will never ride one because riding a motorcycle is placing your life in hands of every jerk driving a car.

The biker in this story could've been the safest rider in the world, but look where it got him...Unfortunantly, this is a daily story in our area.

[mark taylor]

Wolf, I was in the area (and the resulting back up). The guy on the bike was going in excess of 100mph according to those that were there.

I'm tired or driving behind guys on 19 poping wheelies at 70 then being lectured about my driving skills when one of them learns one of Newtons law the hard way.

I drive a truck and people turn in front of me every day - its the word we live in.

[Art Heart]

My heart goes out to the family and friends of this person. Right , wrong or otherwise as the mother of a son who lost his life due to a motorcyle accident at 26 years old, many years ago, I can tell you that its still with me today. The family will be the ones to carry it. So just be kind , I know some of them do crazy things, thats because they think their invicible, My son was coming home from work, his speed was 35mph and was wearing a helmet, (it was the law back then)but it was just hitting the back of a bumper and that was the end of the story for him.

[MAC]

It seems that every day someone dies in the Tampa Bay area from a motorcycle accident.

Watch out for motorcycle riders as you would a bicyclist or pedestrian.

Motorcyclists, slow down and give yourself more room to maneuver . Wear a helmet to protect yourself.

[sunlover126]

Why is it always the vehicle driver's fault when these irresponsible motorcycle drivers get in an accident?? Instead of the rest of us looking out for bikers, why don't the bikers look out for vehicles!!

[Jason A.]

Hey wolf, this is a case of another idiot motorcyclist thinking that the roads are their personal speedway. The rider was doing 60mph while making an illegal pass. Matt and his friend did everything they could to save his life. It's too bad that the rider's family and friends are the ones left ot suffer from HIS mistakes, not Matt's.

[Art Heart]

They do watch for drivers, Most of them drive very defensivly. They have to.

[Tone]

Jason A. Don't be disrespectful he was a great man and a great father. A person to look up too and did not deserve for something like this to happen. May he rest in peace.

[Tone]

He rode with me in the club we are in. A very respectful and great man. Come see me before you go thinking of being disrespectful....

[sunlover126]

Nobody is disrespecting his character...........
He made a mistake as a driver of a motorcycle........ an ALL motorcycle drivers do

[Tone]

That is Incorrect for you to say. Calling someone a idiot is disrespectful, And not all make mistakes please do get your facts straight. You lose someone close to you Like this then now you can think before speaking.

[dunringill]

Reading some of these comments, I can see why motorcyclists have to be so careful on the road...because of attitudes like those who think they own the road. By the way, each day cars get into accidents too. Last fatal accident I saw was a dump truck...guess they're all bad. Gimme a break.

[Chris]

I really feel sorry for the motorcyclists that aren't at fault and die because of it.

However, I have seen my share of idiot riders on US. 19 weaving in and out at 65+ MPH. I have no respect for those organ donors at all.

[Talley]

If the rider was speeding, it may have been his fault. My husband, brothers, brother-in-law, sister-in-law ride and friends ride,are older,all over 50, some ride crotch-rockets, harleys or goldwings. Cars, Trucks, Vans, Tow Trucks, turn infront of bikers all the time thinking they can make it. Sometimes they do, most times, they don't. I have even seen first hand how much respect the law and riders have during the annual Toys for Tots run in St Pete. There were a few idiot - impatient drivers that moved into the "parade" so to speak, too big if a hurry. The "kids" on crotch rockets that think they are invincible are the ones that go down the road on one wheel or weaving in an out of traffic, they are so quiet, you don't know they are there until too late. will stick w/the noisy harley's - at least they can be heard.

[Jason A.]

Ok so maybe calling someone who died an idiot for doing 60 mph in a 30 mph zone while trying to pass a vehicle illegally may be a little disrespectful. I feel sorry for the loss for all those involved, I really do, but this would not have happened if the rider would have used common sense and obeyed the traffic laws. Too often we see needless fatalities of riders not wearing their helmets and treating roads like speedways weaving in and out of traffic on the causways and bridges. You want respect, respect others and obey the traffic laws. May the rider rest in peace and God bless his family for their loss.

[Pattee]

My prayers go out to all families involved in this loss. We should be supportive of each other and not so critical. ALL drivers need to be more cautious!

[Vankaye]

I was at the accident scene on Sunday. This is not the type of left turn many of you are thinking. The driver was turning left ONTO westbound while the rider was eastbound. However, this was not a failure to yield situation. The rider took a giant risk passing through a saftey zone (yellow stripes between two double yellow lines) under acceleration. As a fellow sportbike rider I know what he did was wrong. But that didn't help me feel any better after seeing a man lose his life. My thoughts are with his friends and family today.

[Senator]

I am sorry for all that have experienced a lost one in this accident. I too have known loved ones that have died on motorcycles and not one of them were abiding by the laws of the roads. In fact, anyone that I know that has been in an accident on a motorcycle was because they were not riding responsible. 95% of all motorcycle fatalities are caused by excessive speed. Going fast has its consequences. If you are willing to sacrifice your life for a “rush”, then so be it. Otherwise, slow down and be responsible. Accidents at 30 mph have a higher rate of survival.

[luvyrpet]

Look twice, save a life, look out for trucks.

[Tone]

you say look out for trucks...most people do not take the time to look for a motorcycle ok I'm not saying this was the case, I have not seen all the information. so lets not stero type any motorcycle riders.you can ask most motorcycle riders they can tell people dont look for motorcycles, lets just try to inform people to look twice rather than hating on each other...

[angelique]

Please guy's? This was someone's son, brother, father and friend! Not an idiot!! As someone who was on the scene on Sunday and tried to help. I will never forget his face,I will never forget that he wore a helmet, I wil never forget he wore a jacket, I will never forget that he had on gloves! I will never forget the tatoo on his right arm! I will never forget his broken body. I will never forget the medics declaring him dead! But I will try to forget all the people who chose to do nothing! I pray that the peace of the lord washes over his family as it washed over him as he entered eternal life.

[elaine]

HE WAS A GREAT MAN HE WAS VERY LOVED.
IM GOING TO MISS HIM MORE THAN ANYTHING IN THIS WORLD. HE LEAVES BEHIND 3 BEATUFUL DAUGHTERS AND A BEAYTIFUL SON. HE KNEW HOW TO RIDE HIS BIKE ITS THE OTHER IDIOTS ON THE ROAD NOT WATCHING I DONT CARE WHAT U SAY MATT AND HIS FRIENDS DID NOT TRY TO SAY HIM. THEY RAN HIM OVER FOR CRYING OUT LOUND NOTHING CAN EVER BRING HIM BACK NOT U NOT ME NOT GOD NO ONE. WE LOVE YOU BABY AND MISS YOU MAY GOD BELSS US WITH YEARS TO COME AND MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!

[Emily Picart]

To those who want to say it's the motorcyclist fault!! Im sorry but people dont know how to drive and are always wanting to be in a rush. They are the ones that need to be careful and keep a lookout. Yes we are taking risk of our lives by getting on the motorcycle BUT at the same time we do look out for others! Come on.. Someone has died. And I can't believe there are people who are critizing on here. Do you have anything better else to do? You don't know who this person was. So all I ask is that you have a little bit more respect than that. He was a well respected, caring, devoted and loving man, father and member of a bike club! Who was always helping out in any way and trying to better himself! Wow. I hope a tragedy like this doesn't happen to any of you because than you will feel the pain we are going through and then you wouldn't like it if someone commented certain things. It's ok though. May GOD be with you and forgive you! And I give my upmost respect and sympathy to his family and closed/loved ones. We know that your'e in a better place now - looking over us! I just wish it didn't have to come this soon and this way. May he R.I.P. and to those who do ride please be safe. You will never be forgotten and always be in our hearts. No one could ever replace you. WE MISS AND LOVE YOU!

[anita m smith]

I knew the young man who was killedin this accident. I do not feel as though we are accomplishing anything by blaming someone. I do not feel as though we are accomplishing anything by stating how wrong he was. The point of it is his family, friends, and anyone who knew him no longer can enjoy his presence. There are parents out there with a loss of a child. There are children out there with the loss of their father, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles I could go on forever but most of you would never usderstand what i am saying. Lets not arue ovr who was at fault lets just pray for him and let him RIP
Goodbye my friend

[mom's]

I was at the store when 2 PO told a loved one about this accident. I didn't know if it was her husband, child or what ever. All I know was the sound of her voice. I knew that scream. I lost a child in March and my heart goes out to the family and loved ones. I just wanted to go to her and hold her knowing what it was like to loose someone you love. My prayers and thoughts are with you. You do not think of who's at fault in a time like this. The pain is to bad. Your mind is only on the one you lost. May God be with you all.