Punta Gorda, FL : Motorcyclist killed in Charlotte County crash on Thursday night, May 19, 2016

The Florida Highway Patrol said the passenger of a motorcycle was killed, and the driver was injured when a vehicle struck the bike from behind while it was attempting to slow for a right-hand turn in Charlotte County on Thursday night.

According to an FHP report, a 2016 Harley-Davidson FXB Breakout, with two riders, was traveling east on Veterans Boulevard and slowed to turn right onto Norman Street at approximately 8:52 p.m. Thursday.

Megan Thomas, 30, of Arcadia, who was driving a 2010 Chevrolet Suburban, directly behind the motorcycle, did not see the bike driven by Gerald Merando Jr., 66, of Port Charlotte, and struck struck the motorcycle's rear tire it to turn onto its side and slide eastward to the center of the eastbound lanes.

The Suburban came to a “controlled stop” on the south sidewalk east of Norman Street on Veterans Boulevard. Thomas and her passenger, Alona Aguilar, 9, of Arcadia, were not injured in the crash.

Both Merando Jr. and his female passenger, who were not wearing helmets, were thrown from their motorcycle and landed in the roadway, FHP said.

Merando Jr. was transported to Lee Memorial Hospital in serious condition, according to FHP. A woman riding with him, whose name has not been released pending notification of relatives, was taken to Bayfront Health Port Charlotte Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash, FHP said.

Source :
Motorcyclist killed in Charlotte County crash