Motorcyclist dies in early-morning bridge crash

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Two accidents occurred within an hour of each other early Sunday morning on the Howard Frankland Bridge, resulting in the death of one man.

Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) said 42-year-old Eric Ramirez of Tampa died when his motorcycle crashed into the back of another vehicle as he tried to merge into another lane just after 3 a.m. FHP said Ramirez was speeding excessively at the time of the crash.

No one died in the first accident that occurred just after 2 a.m.

The accidents caused major backups for drivers early Sunday morning, but the road was cleared by 6:30.

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