LAKELAND, Fla. — A 33-year-old Lake Wales man is dead following a crash on New Tampa Highway early Saturday morning.
Lakeland police say the crash happened at 6:33 a.m. near the Family Dollar. The driver of a Chevrolet pickup truck was traveling in the westbound lane while the motorcyclist was traveling eastbound.
The pickup truck driver attempted to pass a cement mixer in front of him. He moved into the eastbound lane as the motorcycle was approaching. The motorcycle then collided with the front of the pickup.
The collision caused the motorcyclist to be thrown from the bike. The pickup truck continued into the grassy shoulder of the roadway and rolled over.
Responders from the Lakeland Police Department, Polk County Fire Rescue and Lakeland Fire Department responded to the scene. Life-saving measures were attempted on the motorcyclist, later identified as Max Beagan, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The pickup truck driver was transported to Lakeland Regional Health with minor injuries.
Investigators say fog in the area caused limited visibility, which appeared to be a factor in the crash.
The roadway was shut down for four hours while the scene was processed. Anyone with information regarding the crash is asked to contact Traffic Crash Investigator Officer Travis Payne at travis.payne@lakelandgov.net.
