Polk County deputies are investigating a fatal crash in Lakeland Friday involving a motorcyclist colliding with a pickup truck.

  • Juan Korshan McWhorter, 37, died in crash
  • Incident took place on Combee Road
  • Excessive speed on part of motorcyclist appears to be factor

Officials say at approximately 3:20 p.m. Juan Korshan McWhorter, 37, was traveling southbound on Combee Road. He was riding a 2006 Honda 1000RR motorcycle.

Around the same time, Mary Krause, 70, was pulling out into Combee Road from the parking lot of the Babcock store near the intersection of Combee and Tanglewood Street. Krause was driving a 2002 Ford F150.

Deputies say as Krause crossed westbound across Combee Road toward Tanglewood Street, McWhorter collided with the truck's passenger side. The impact from the collision was enough to spin Krause's truck clockwise, so it came to rest facing north.

McWhorter was thrown from his motorcycle by the collision and sustained critical injuries. He later died while being transported by first responders to Lakeland Regional Hospital.

Krause was not injured in the crash.

At this time, investigators do not believe impairment was a factor in the crash. However, according to investigators, excessive speed on the part of McWhorter does appear to be a factor.

McWhorter was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Combee Road was closed for approximately three hours as Polk County deputies conducted their investigation.