JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A motorcyclist died after being rear-ended on Wonderwood Bridge on Saturday afternoon, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Officials said at around 1:45 p.m., a man was riding an antique motorcycle east on Wonderwood and there was a car traveling in the same direction behind him and rear-ended the motorcycle which threw him from it.
Jacksonville Fire Rescue said the man died at the scene.
The car driver stayed at the scene and is cooperating with investigators and showed no signs of impairment.
Officials said the driver of the car got distracted and came up behind the motorcycle quickly before hitting him.
The accident had the eastbound side shut down as investigators looked into the incident.
JSO said there are no indications that street racing was involved.
This is the 151st traffic fatality and the 29th involving a motorcycle.
AAA estimates over 100 million people will hit the roads this holiday season.
News4JAX Crime and Safety Analyst Tom Hackney said it’s important to stay focused while driving.
“You’ve got so many people who are driving distracted and driving distracted is almost as bad as driving intoxicated,” Hackney said. “You just don’t have control over your car and the distance your car travels while you’re checking a text or looking for the next song is so deadly and it has deadly consequences.”
It’s important to know your route and what exits you need to take and switch drivers if you need to. With so many people on the road, it’s important to watch for other distracted drivers.
Just because you’re locked in doesn’t mean the driver near you is. Leave room and always be aware of a way out of a dangerous situation as you hit the road.