A 44-year-old man was killed early Friday in a motorcycle crash on Interstate 4 near downtown Tampa.

  • Motorcycle crash on I-4 near downtown Tampa
  • Leonel Pena, 44 of Tampa, killed in the 3:12 a.m. crash
  • I-4 ramp to I-275 and to downtown closed for several hours
  • BN9 Traffic resources

The single-vehicle crash happened just after 3 a.m. on the westbound I-4 just before the junction to southbound I-275. 

Troopers said Leonel Pena, of Tampa, failed to negotiate the curve from I-4 to I-275 and struck the guardrail. He was ejected from the motorcycle and died at the scene. 

The crash closed the I-4 ramp to I-275 and to downtown for three-plus hours Friday morning. 

Officials said Pena was wearing a helmet and alcohol was not a factor. 

The crash remains under investigation.