MARION COUNTY, Fla. (WESH) — A man operating a motorcycle was killed on Thursday after colliding with a bear in Marion County Thursday night, according to a report from the Florida Highway Patrol. The bear also died, troopers said.
It happened around 11 p.m. Officials said the motorcyclist was traveling westbound on State Road 40 and State Road 19 in the Ocala National Forest. The front of the 1999 Honda motorcycle struck a bear that was in the westbound lane, according to the report. The motorcycle then overturned on its left side and the driver was separated from the motorcycle. The motorcycle and bear ended up in the westbound lane of State Road 40.
The driver of the motorcycle, a 42-year-old man, was not wearing a helmet, according to the report. He was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center and was pronounced dead.
WESH 2 News will post further updates as they become available.
