ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – A Friday night collision at a busy St. Petersburg intersection sent a local motorcyclist to the hospital with serious injuries after he struck a police cruiser.
The crash occurred around 8:29 p.m. at the junction of 54th Avenue North and 16th Street North, according to initial reports from the scene.
Parker Lehman, 29, of St. Petersburg, was riding his Yamaha motorcycle eastbound on 54th Avenue North as he approached the intersection.
At the same time, Officer Richard Thomas was driving a Ford Explorer police cruiser westbound on 54th Avenue North. The accident happened when Officer Thomas attempted to make a left-hand turn to head south onto 16th Street North.
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Lehman’s motorcycle hit the front passenger side of the cruiser. While Lehman was wearing a helmet at the time of the impact, the force of the collision resulted in serious injuries.
Emergency responders transported him to Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital for treatment. Officer Thomas was also taken to the same facility, though his injuries were described as minor.
The area around the intersection was restricted for several hours as investigators processed the scene. Police have confirmed that this remains an active investigation as they work to determine the exact sequence of events leading up to the crash. No further details regarding potential charges or the specific condition of those involved have been released.
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