A dirt bike rider and a pickup truck driver died after getting into a crash and being struck by a third vehicle Sunday night in rural Pasco County.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 1996 Chevy Silverado pickup truck driven by Terry Edwards, 72, of Hudson and a 2006 Lifan G20-5 motorcycle ridden by Kenneth Michael Demmith, 29, of Zephyhrills were traveling in opposite directions on Hudson Avenue.
As they approached the private drive at 11029 Hudson Avenue at 9:10 p.m., the truck turned into the path of the bike, and the bike struck the right rear of the truck, troopers said.
Demmith, who was not wearing a helmet, was ejected onto the roadway.
As Edwards got out of his truck and approached the injured Demmith, he and Demmith were struck by an eastbound 2007 Chevy Silverado driven by John Lindsay, 59, of Hudson.
Edwards and Demmith died at the scene. Lindsay was not injured.
Edwards’ daughter, Rebecca Miller, said her dad loved his family and he loved to hunt. He just retired last summer after 51 years working for the same company.
"We pretty much had to twist his arm to get him to retire so he could enjoy some time,” she said.
Edwards’ son-in-law, Robert Miller, said both deaths are hard to take.
"Huge loss. Irreplaceable loss, you know," he said.
Edward's family believes he got out of his truck to help the motorcycle driver. Nobody will ever know for sure but they said that's just the kind of person he was.
"You know, that's just what he did, just helped people and never thought about himself,” Rebecca Miller said.
No charges have been filed.