A 43-year-old man was killed in a three-vehicle crash in Tarpon Springs Friday night where two of the vehicles caught fire.
- Motorcyclist killed in three-vehicle crash in Tarpon Springs
- Motorcycle rear-ended a Mustang, then hit an SUV
- Biker ejected from vehicle, suffered fatal injuries
- Motorcycle, SUV caught fire; Occupants of SUV able to escape
Officials said Barrett Richard Phelps, 43, was killed after the motorcycle his was driving rear-ended a Mustang and then hit another vehicle, causing Phelps to suffer fatal injuries.
The crash occurred around 8:15 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, on U.S. Hwy 19 at the intersection of Mango Street.
Police said the Yamaha motorcycle was traveling southbound on U.S. 19 and struck a Ford Mustang that had just made a legal u-turn from northbound U.S. 19 to southbound U.S. 19.
The impact caused the motorcyclist to be ejected into the center median, but the bike stayed in the travel lane and was struck by a Chevrolet SUV. Both vehicles ignited on fire after coming to a rest.
Police said two adults and three children inside the SUV were able to escape with no injuries. The driver of the Mustang sustained minor injuries and the motorcyclist was transported to Florida Hospital of North Pinellas, where he was pronounced dead.
The crash remains under investigation.