JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 35-year-old man died Thursday morning when the motorcycle he was riding hit a concrete raised median on Pritchard Road and he was thrown off, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said.
Sgt. Robert Hungerford said that just before 5 a.m., traffic headed eastbound was stopped on Pritchard Road at the intersection with Perimeter Industrial Parkway, just west of Old Kings Road.
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According to witnesses, Hungerford said, when the light turned green and the two eastbound lanes began to move through the intersection, the motorcyclist sped up the left turn lane on the eastbound side, passed the cars moving through the intersection and then hit the concrete center raised median. Hungerford said the impact destroyed the Harley Davidson motorcycle’s front wheel and the rider lost control and was thrown from the motorcycle.
He was not wearing a helmet and died at the scene.
“We have a motorcycle safety course that JSO puts on,” Hungerford said. “If you’re a new rider, I strongly urge you to go to that class. Wear a helmet. And wear protective glasses. Drive within your means and wear bright-colored clothing.”
JSO said this was the 62nd traffic fatality in Duval County this year and the ninth involving a motorcyclist.