JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A motorcyclist died early Monday morning after losing control and hitting a concrete utility pole on Shad Road, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
The impact knocked over a neighboring sign pole and caused enough damage that traffic lights were cut off at the intersection of Shad Road and Florida Mining Boulevard in the Mandarin Station area off Philips Highway.
Police said two motorcyclists were headed east together around 1:45 a.m. when one rider left the roadway and hit the pole on the south side of the intersection.
It’s unclear why the rider, a man in his late 20s, lost control, but he died at the scene. He was wearing a helmet, JSO said.
The second motorcyclist was not hurt and was the one who called 911, investigators said.
Investigators believe speed may have been a factor.
“We are not certain just yet, (but) it did knock the pole down. It would take quite a bit of speed to knock the pole down,” Sgt. Robert Hungerford said. “He was wearing a helmet; he was just going a little too fast. He did not estimate the correct speed for the curb.”
Investigators said they are still working to determine what led up to the crash. They also said they won’t know whether alcohol or drugs played a role until the Medical Examiner completes a report.
JSO said this is Duval County’s 94th traffic fatality of the year, and the 12th involving a motorcycle.