Motorcyclist Killed Sunday Night in Hillsborough County
Brian Lester, a 54 year-old Tampa man was killed at approximately 8:49 p.m. at Bearss Avenue and I-275 on Sunday, July 15, 2018.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), 35 year-old Ruth Sanchez-Arias of Tampa, was traveling eastbound on Bearss Avenue approaching I-275 in a 2005 Jeep Liberty.
The unhelmeted motorcyclist, operating a 2018 Harley Davidson, was traveling westbound on Bearss Avenue at I-275.
Troopers say that following a green traffic signal, the motorcyclist turned left to so as to travel southbound on I-275.
Sanchez-Arias failed to stop at the red traffic signal; as a result, the front of Jeep struck the right side of the Harley.
Lester suffered fatal injuries at the scene of the crash.
Sanchez-Arias was arrested on scene for no valid driver license and transported to the Orient Road Jail.
His name was Bryan Lester. He lived in Ruskin. He was wearing a helmet. Why is that even noted? No helmet will save you when you are mowed down at 40+ mph. This woman has never had a license. In any state! Where is the follow up? Is she even a citizen? She only had a passport for ID. Is Bryan’s story not political enough to even bother to get right? He mattered. He was important to so many people. He did not deserve to be ran over by someone who obviously has no respect for our laws or our people. She even got out of jail with only a $2,000 bail. A mere $200 to probably be out and behind the wheel again. Who’s family and friends have to suffer next? Ever victim deserves to have their story told. Not just the ones that garner national attention.