ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Florida Highway Patrol troopers are investigating after four motorcyclists were killed in separate crashes over St Patrick's Day weekend.
Troopers told WFTV it's been a busy weekend for them, responding to dozens of crashes across Central Florida. Officials say with bike week wrapping up in Daytona Beach and St. Patrick's Day on Saturday, the number of crashes has been greater than usual.
The first deadly motorcycle crash happened Friday night in Orange County. FHP says 42-year-old Gina Demonte was killed when she lost control of her Suzuki motorcycle on Pine Hills Road. Demonte was riding with a group of motorcyclists and crashed when she hit a nearby motorcycle driven by 34-year-old Burton Broadwater. Demonte was not wearing a helmet, officials say.
Saturday evening, troopers responded to three deadly motorcycle crashes, two of which were in Volusia County.
The first crash was around 6:45 p.m. on C.R. 305 near McGlon Road in Seville. Troopers told Eyewitness News a 55-year-old Orange Park man was killed when he lost control of his Harley Davidson motorcycle for unknown reasons. Officials have not released his identity.
Another motorcycle crash happened near the University of Central Florida in east Orange County. FHP says 23-year-old James Miron drove directly into the path of an oncoming motorcycle when he attempted to make a left turn onto Pasteur Drive from Alafaya Trail. The motorcyclist, a 27-year-old man from Orlando, was killed in the crash. His identity has also not been released.
The latest deadly crash was in Ormond Beach around 9:00 p.m. Saturday night. FHP says 77-year-old Barbara Dunn was driving drunk when she crashed into a motorcyclist, killing him. Dunn had been driving northbound in the southbound lanes. She was booked into the Volusia County jail and charged with DUI manslaughter, DUI, and DUI with property damage.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating all of the crashes, and in some cases charges are pending.