Marathon, FL : Motorcyclist killed, another injured in a crash on U.S. 1 in Key Largo on Tuesday night, July 26, 2016

The trend of serious and deadly vehicle crashes on the Keys’ main highway continued Tuesday night.

A motorcyclist died after crashing his bike at mile marker 97 on U.S. 1 in Key Largo around 6:30 p.m., according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

A head-on crash on North Pine Channel Bridge at the south end of Big Pine Key in the Lower Keys around the same time had traffic completely blocked at mile marker 29.5 until 8:45 p.m. One person, the driver of a 2004 Nissan X-Terra SUV, was flown by helicopter air ambulance to Ryder Trauma Center in Miami.

According to an FHP press release, the driver, whose name was not immediately available, was traveling northbound on U.S. 1, before crossing into the southbound lane of the highway “for unknown reasons.” The X-Terra struck a southbound traveling 2005 Chevrolet pickup head on. The pickup’s driver and a passenger were taken to Fishermen’s Community Hospital in Marathon. The extent of their injuries was not immediately known. The FHP has not released their names or where they live.

The Nissan’s driver was not wearing a seatbelt, said FHP Lt. Kathleen McKinney.

Investigating and clearing the crash scene caused traffic backed-ups in both directions for miles, said Deputy Becky Herrin, communications officer with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

Details of motorcycle accident were not immediately available. The FHP is investigating. FHP, the Sheriff’s Office and fire-rescue units responded to both scenes.

Since Friday, four people have died on Monroe County roads. The motorcyclist is the 17th Keys highway death since January.

Source :
Motorcyclist killed in Key Largo crash. At least one airlifted in Big Pine Key head-on