Dunedin motorcyclist dies in crash after speeding off from deputy trying to pull him over
DUNEDIN, Fla. - A motorcyclist who sped off from a Pinellas County deputy trying to pull him over died after a crash on Bayshore Boulevard in Dunedin early Friday morning.
Dig deeper:
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said deputies were conducting speed enforcement near Bayshore Boulevard and Michigan Boulevard in Dunedin at around 5:45 a.m. That's when they tried to pull over a red Kawasaki motorcycle, which was driver by Michael Gaffney, 41, according to investigators.
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A motorcycle rider died in a crash early Friday on Bayshore Blvd. in Dunedin.
Officials said the motorcycle was speeding in the southbound lanes of Bayshore Boulevard.
However, the motorcyclist continued to speed off when the deputy tried to stop him. The deputy then turned off his emergency lights and didn't continue pursuing the motorcycle.
However, several 911 calls came in about three minutes later, reporting a motorcycle crash near 1427 Bayshore Boulevard. Deputies believe Gaffney lost control of his motorcycle and hit a guy wire that was attached to a nearby facility pole.
Gaffney died at the scene of the crash, according to the sheriff's office.
What they're saying:
Deputies do consider speed to be a factor in the crash, and said they are continuing to investigate.
The Source: This story was written using information provided by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.
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