LAKELAND, Fla. – A 28-year-old Lakeland man, Neel Patel, has died following a motorcycle crash that occurred on Saturday, April 26, 2025, in the 4100 block of South Florida Avenue.
According to the Lakeland Police Department, officers responded to the scene at approximately 11:20 p.m.
The preliminary investigation, based on witness statements and evidence, indicates that a grey Ford was exiting the Bowlero located at 4111 South Florida Avenue, heading eastbound towards the median. An unidentified vehicle ahead of the Ford then reportedly made a sudden U-turn in front of it, causing the Ford to stop briefly in the roadway.
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At that moment, a blue Yamaha motorcycle traveling southbound in the inside lane collided with the rear driver’s side door and fender of the Ford.
Lakeland Police Department Patrol Units, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department responded to the scene and initiated life-saving measures for the motorcycle driver. Patel was subsequently transported to Lakeland Regional Health with life-threatening injuries.
The Traffic Homicide Unit arrived and took over the investigation, leading to the closure of the roadway for approximately four hours as the scene was processed.
On Monday, April 28, 2025, Neel Patel died from inuried suffered in the crash.
The driver of the Ford was identified as 21-year-old Travis Maxwell, also a resident of Lakeland.
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