One motorcycle rider died and another was critically injured Saturday in an accident in Tampa involving both riders colliding with a van.
- Accident occurred at North Florida Avenue and Palm Drive
- Cody Newsom, 19, died at the scene
Florida Highway Patrol troopers report the incident occured just after 4 p.m. at North Florida Avenue and Palm Drive. Cody Newsom, 19, and Connor Waldron, 20, were riding southbound on North Florida Avenue when a van driven by Manuel Perez, 69, pulled into the road from Palm Drive into the motorcycles' path.
Perez reportedly failed to observe Newsom and Waldron as he pulled into the roadway to make a left turn onto North Florida Avenue. Newsom and Waldron were both traveling in the left lane at high rates of speed, and both struck the van.
Newsom suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. Waldron suffered serious injuries and was transported to St. Joseph's Hospital. Both riders were wearing helmets at the time of the crash.
Perez was transported to Florida Hospital Fletcher and treated for minor injuries. Charges in the case are pending the results of the investigation.