Ocala, FL : Motorcyclist killed after collision with SUV on Saturday, November, 25th 2017

A man died Saturday night when he was struck while riding his motorcycle and landed onto the roadway.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers said the victim was taken to Ocala Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

On Sunday morning, authorities identified the rider as Jack Reid, 64, of Ocala.

According to troopers on scene, a sport utility vehicle was traveling northbound on Northeast Jacksonville Road and the 1998 Harley-Davidson was in front of the vehicle. Officials said that, at some point, the motorcycle rider swerved to avoid something in the roadway and in doing so the right side of the vehicle struck the motorcycle, ejecting the rider.

Troopers said Reid was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

The crash occurred near Northeast Jacksonville Road and 44th Street. The stretch of the roadway where the wreck occurred was dark.

Joe Mason, the SUV driver, told the Star-Banner he was on his way home. He said he was driving when suddenly he noticed a motorcycle standing upright in the middle of the roadway.

“It freaked me out to see a motorcycle in the middle of the road,” Mason said.

Mason said he swerved, trying not to hit the motorcycle, but he hit it. Mason said another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction passed by and struck the motorcycle and did not stop.

Mason said he stopped his vehicle and walked back to where the motorcycle was and saw the rider lying in the roadway.

Saturday’s death was the fifth since Nov. 17, and the 80th for the year. In 2016, 71 people died in traffic related crashes.

Last year during the Thanksgiving holidays, law enforcement officials recorded one traffic death death. This year, officials have investigated two traffic deaths, one on Thanksgiving Day and the second on Saturday.

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Motorcyclist killed after collision with SUV