The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is investigating a crash that left a motorcyclist seriously injured this afternoon on the Howard Frankland Bridge. The crash occurred at approximately 5:10 p.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2020.
Wayne Parlin, age 62 of Plant City, was operating a 2008 Harley Davidson motorcycle northbound on I-275 on the bridge near milepost 37.5. According to troopers, Parlin was traveling in the inside paved shoulder to pass slower traffic. He attempted to pass a 2005 Chevy SUV that was in the inside lane of traffic when the front of his motorcycle collided with the left rear of the SUV.
Parlin was ejected from the motorcycle that continued upright until colliding with the concrete barrier wall. After the collision, the motorcycle was redirected and continued across the roadway and struck a 2017 Chevy SUV.
Parlin was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital with serious injuries. Troopers say he was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and issued him a citation for careless driving.
Neither of the two other drivers were injured in the crash.