Crash killing teen motorcyclist on Howard Frankland Bridge comes as Florida highlights "Move Over Law"

Deadly crash on Howard Frankland Bridge

FOX 13's Aaron Mesmer reports on a deadly crash that killed an 18-year-old motorcyclist on the Howard Frankland Bridge as Florida tries to highlight its "Move Over Law."

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - As Florida highlights the state's Move Over Law through its "Move Over Month" initiative, an 18-year-old motorcyclist died after a crash on the Howard Frankland Bridge.

FHP says they responded shortly before 7 a.m. On Friday, on the eastbound/northbound side of the bridge, troopers said the motorcycle and an SUV crashed into each other.

The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating multiple crashes on the Howard Frankland Bridge early Friday. (Courtesy: FDOT.)

The accident snarled traffic for hours, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Troopers said the teen was thrown from the motorcycle and into the back of a Road Ranger truck that was stopped on the side of the highway, while the motorcycle hit the back of another SUV that the Road Ranger was assisting.

READ: January is 'Move Over Month' in Florida. Here's a full breakdown of the traffic law

The motorcycle rider, whose name was not released, died at the scene. No other injuries were reported.

A separate crash involving four vehicles on the westbound/southbound side of the bridge also impacted traffic between Tampa and St. Petersburg for hours on Friday. No life-threatening injuries were reported in the second crash.

The "Move Over Law" requires drivers to move over for vehicles stopped on the side of a highway. It includes law enforcement, other first responders, construction vehicles, road rangers, and disabled motorists.

FHP said it's unclear whether either vehicle involved in the crash on I-275 on Friday was trying to move over, but motorcyclists often need to be extra vigilant.

"When you are a vulnerable user of the roadway, a motorcyclist, you most certainly should be moving over not only to help protect law enforcement but to protect yourself," said Trooper Ken Watson. "The bottom line here is having that good situational awareness."

READ: Move Over Law expands

Watson continued, saying, "When you are driving a motorcycle, it's critically important to understand, this time of year, traffic is so heavy that we have to have that spatial orientation to help keep us alive."

The law was expanded last year to include all disabled vehicles.

As a result, the number of tickets for Move-Over violations went up to about 17,000 in 2024, and an estimated 14,000 citations were issued by law enforcement in 2023.

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