Troopers from the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) continue to investigate a crash that killed a motorcyclist, 36 year-old Tristan Velez of New Port Richey.
The crash occurred at approximately 8:20 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, 2019.
They say Velez was traveling northbound, in the outside lane, on North Florida Avenue, approaching Celestrial Oaks Drive.
A 2006 Chevy Cobalt was being operated by a 26 year-old Tampa woman and was traveling southbound, in the inside lane, on North Florida Avenue, approaching Celestrial Oaks Drive.
Troopers say that Velez elevated the front wheel off the roadway, thus driving on the rear wheel of the motorcycle with the headlamp facing skyward.
The driver of the Cobalt changed lanes from the inside southbound lane to the continuous left turn lane and unable to see the motorcycle, turned left into the path of the 2018 Kawasaki motorcycle.
Due to the collision, Velez, who was wearing a helmet, was ejected and collided with the vehicle. He was transported to Advent Heath Tampa where he died from his injuries.
The driver of the Chevy was evaluated at a local hospital for minor injuries.