Gainesville motorcyclist dies in crash in Ocala

A 58-year-old motorcyclist from Gainesville died Saturday afternoon when she crashed while riding with a group of people in Silver Springs, according to Florida Highway Patrol troopers.The accident occurred on Northeast 145th Avenue Road near Northeast 46th Street. The road is a two-lane roadway, with several curves.Troopers said Marta G. Artenzio-Mills, of Gainesville, was heading northbound on Northeast 145th Avenue Road, negotiating a lefthand curve approaching 46th Street when her motorcycle went off the roadway and she lost control of the bike, ejecting her.Artenzio-Mills was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said. She was not wearing a helmet, troopers said.Officials said Artenzio-Mills was among 10 motorcyclists in the group, and they were all riding single-file. Speed, troopers said, was not an issue.
The majority of the riders who were part of the group declined to talk to the Star-Banner.One of them, Jeff Gehman, did say they are part of a group that enjoys riding, most of whom are from Gainesville. When they meet, they usually go on long bike rides, he said. In those rides, usually every weekend, they will travel to different places and, along the way, stop at various communities or landmarks to eat and sightsee.The dead woman was a veteran motorcycle rider with 30 years of experience, Gehman said.