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Motorcycle Driver Dies in Fiery Hillsborough Crash

Police | Law Enforcement | Public Safety

The impact ruptured the gas tank on the motorcycle, Hillsborough sheriff’s deputies said.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – A motorcycle driver died Tuesday (March 21) in a fiery traffic crash.

Michael E. Pierce, 30, of Seffner, died in the crash.

The crash happened about 4:45 p.m. at the intersection of Broadway Avenue and Queen Palm Drive. Hillsborough sheriff’s deputies said Jorge Puentes, 51, of Homestead, had stopped the 2001 Volvo tractor-trailer he was driving in the eastbound lane of Broadway. Puentes was preparing to make a left turn onto Queen Palm. He had a line of about 10 vehicles stopped behind him.

Mr. Pierce was driving a 2005 Suzuki GSX-R600 east on Broadway at a high rate of speed. As he approached the stopped cars, deputies said he tried to pass them by going into the westbound lane just as Puentes started turning. Mr. Pierce tried to brake but laid the bike down as he realized he could not stop in time. The motorcycle slid into the drive axles of the tractor trailer. The gas
tank ruptured the gas tank of the motorcycle causing gas to be splattered onto the tractor trailer, which caught fire.

Mr. Pierce tumbled along the ground until he hit a 2011 Hyundai Sonata driven by Dequincy Wilson Jr. of Tampa, which was turning right from from southbound Queen Palm onto westbound Broadway.

Neither Puentes nor Wilson was injured. Deputies said the tractor trailer and motorcycle were destroyed by the fire. No charges are expected.

For information about the Hillsborough sheriff, go to hcso.tampa.fl.us.

Hillsborough Sheriff | Motorcyclist Dies | Michael E. Pierce | Traffic Crash | Traffic Accident | TB Reporter

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