The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) is investigating a serious vehicle versus motorcycle crash in Safety Harbor.
The crash occurred at about 12:31 p.m. on Tuesday, October 2, 2018 at the intersection of Martin Luther King Street North and 9th Avenue North.
According to investigators, 31 year-old Jabez Mitchem of Safety Harbor was driving a 2005 Toyota Camry and was stopped at a stop sign at the intersection of 9th Avenue North and MLK Street North. The operator of the 2008 Kawasaki motorcycle, 29 year-old Joshua Melching of New Port Richey, was traveling eastbound on MLK Street North.
Deputies say as Melchings approached 9th Avenue North, Mitchem failed to yield and proceeded southbound across MLK Street North striking the left side of the 2008 Kawasaki Vulcan motorcycle which resulted in Melchings being ejected.
Melchings sustained serious injuries to his left leg and was transported by ambulance to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg.
Neither speed nor impairment appear to be factors in the crash, according to investigators.
The investigation continues.