Motorcyclist Dead After Collision with Lealman Engine 19 [VIDEO BELOW]
Posted: September 27, 2015 – 10:30 AM
Updated: 9/27/2015 – 8:15 PM
The deceased motorcyclist has been identified as 48 year-old William R. Ash of St. Petersburg.
At approximately 1 AM, on Sunday, September 27, 2015, Engine 19 from Lealman Fire District was enroute to a reported traffic crash.  The crash was reported near 54th Avenue N and 66th Way.  Lealman is a community just north of St. Petersburg, Florida.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), a Lealman Firefighter was driving the 2008 Pierce Engine northbound on 66th Street approaching 54th Avenue in the center lane. At the same time, the 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by 48 year-old William R. Ash of St. Petersburg, Florida. Ash was traveling northbound in the inside lane.
FHP reports that as the Engine approached the intersection with its emergency lights and siren activated, Ash failed to yield to the fire truck as it turned left onto 54th Avenue N.
Ash continued northbound and collided with the front left side of the engine. A call went out over the radio informing dispatch that they were involved in a vehicle crash. The motorcyclist sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene. The FHP reports that the deceased man was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
The roadway was closed down until about 4:45 AM during the initial phase of the investigation. The investigation continues and charges are listed as pending. FHP reports that alcohol did not appear to have played a role in the crash. Both the motorcycle and the fire engine were towed from the scene.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Lealman Fire District, and Sunstar Paramedics and the Pinellas/Pasco Medical Examiner all assisted with the incident
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I just read that charges are pending per FHP? But if the m/cylist was on the inside lane, surely he failed to yield for the Engine? I saw the video on WFLA the engine was barley moving, and thought I saw blinkers, but it’s hard to tell. The m/cylist didn’t appear to be speeding or anything… just not sure why he didn’t yield, or slow down. Why try to overtake if he though the Engine would continue straight through the intersection.
Such a terrible accident for all involved.
FHP reports contain the Charges section. There are three choices they usually make when updating that section.
#1: The charges filed at the scene are listed for that individual. Usually the obvious things like DUI
#2: None would be listed if it was obvious no charges would be filed. This would be like a drunk pedestrian that walked in front of a vehicle in the middle of the street.
#3: More investigation needs to take place to determine the circumstances of the crash.
In this case, the media report was released very early and long before the video was obtained and reviewed by FHP.
Once again, the term pending should not be mistaken as imminent or in the process of. Only that the investigation was still active when early media release was put out.