Photo: (PSLPD)
A road rage confrontation erupted into a violent four-vehicle crash on U.S. 1 Wednesday, leaving four injured and a Port St. Lucie man behind bars.
Officers with the Port St. Lucie Police Department say they responded around 6:45 p.m. to the intersection of South U.S. Highway 1 and SE Lyngate Drive/SE Tiffany Avenue, where investigators determined that a red Harley-Davidson motorcycle and a black Ford Super Duty pickup truck were involved in an ongoing road-rage incident.
“These two vehicles were involved in an active road rage incident just prior to the crash, and this is based off the dash camera and witness statements that we’ve collected,” said Officer M with the Port St. Lucie Police Department.
Detectives say the pickup, driven by 54-year-old L, was pursuing the motorcycle as both vehicles traveled northbound on U.S. 1 and approached the intersection.
According to witness statements and dash-camera video, the motorcycle entered the intersection against a red light and collided with a black Chevrolet Silverado, throwing the 31-year-old rider from the bike.
Police say L then entered the intersection against the red signal, struck the ejected motorcyclist, and crashed head-on into a blue Toyota RAV4.
The motorcyclist and two people inside the RAV4 were taken to Lawnwood Medical Center, per PSLPD. The Silverado driver was transported to St. Lucie Medical Center.
Investigators say the motorcyclist suffered serious injuries, including a brain bleed and facial fractures, and lost consciousness after the crash. He remains hospitalized in stable condition.
Based on witness statements, dash-camera video and the investigation, police arrested L for two counts of reckless driving causing serious bodily injury and one count of reckless driving causing injury.
“The investigative findings indicate that the pickup truck was actively pursuing that motorcyclist just moments prior to that crash,” said M.
After being medically cleared, L was booked into the St. Lucie County Jail.
The intersection remained closed for hours while investigators processed the scene before all lanes reopened around 2 a.m. Thursday.
“This case does, though, serve as hopefully a powerful reminder that allowing your anger to dictate your actions behind the wheel can put multiple innocent lives at risk,” M said.
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Source: Cbs12
