Motorcycles crash on Bayside Bridge.
Clearwater, FL (June 21, 2009) - Four motorcyclists crashed into each other on the Bayside Bridge late Saturday night, seriously injuring two of the bikers.
The Florida Highway Patrol says the four motorcycles were traveling south on the bridge at a high rate of speed when one of the drivers started to brake. The other three motorcycles could not stop in time and collided, causing all four bikes to slide several hundred feet across the bridge.
Troopers say that all four
drivers and one additional passenger were thrown from the bikes. The Florida Highway Patrol said three of the motorcycle drivers and one passenger received serious injuries when they were all thrown from the motorcycles. One motorcycle driver received minor injuries and at least one was taken to an area hospital by helicopter.
Witnesses say one biker was treated at the scene and another was not injured in the accident. All were wearing helmets and the FHP said alcohol was not a factor. The crash remains under investigation.
One of the four men seriously injured in the Saturday motorcycle crash on Bayside Bridge remains unconscious at Bayfront Medical Center, according to a family member. Hospital officials said the other men have been released.
At about 11 p.m., four motorcycles were heading south on the bridge at a high rate of speed, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. One of the bikers, 39-year-old Michael J. Parasi, of Odessa started to brake his Suzuki motorcycle. Allen R. Vanett, 40, of New Port Richey, was behind him on a Yamaha and couldn't stop quickly enough, slamming into Parasi.
It started a chain reaction with the two other bikes following — Armondo G. Bonafe, 26, of Largo, crashed his Suzuki and Felix M. Borges, 25, of St. Petersburg, crashed his Kawasaki.
All four bikes slid several hundred feet across the southbound lanes. All the drivers and Parasi's passenger, 19-year-old Devon C. Spencer, of New Port Richey, were thrown into the road.
Vanett remains unconscious at the hospital with injuries that include swelling of the brain and skull fractures, said John Karnow, a brother-in-law of Vanett.
On Friday, Parasi, Spencer and Bonafe were listed in serious condition. Borges suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene. Monday, hospital officials said they were no longer at the hospital.
