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Motorcyclist Killed In Crash In St. Pete

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By STEPHEN THOMPSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 21, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - A 22-year-old motorcyclist was killed this morning in a wreck at 30th Avenue North and 49th Street, St. Petersburg police said.

He was identified this afternoon as Robert D. King, of 100 73rd Ave. N., No. 303, St. Petersburg.

King was riding a 2007 Suzuki motorcycle at a high rate of speed along 49th Street, weaving in and out of traffic, when he a car turned in front of him at 30th Avenue North, Traffic Homicide Investigator Mike Jockers said in a prepared statement.

King tried to stop, but it appeared he used only the front brake, Jockers said. That caused the rear wheel of the Suzuki to lift off the road, and the motorcycle traveled in a nearly vertical position before slamming into the car driven by Richard Baker, 54, of St. Petersburg, Jockers said.

King, who was wearing a helmet, went through the car's windshield, Jockers said. The motorycycle flipped over the top of the car.

He was pronounced dead at the scene of the 7:25 a.m. wreck.

Baker was treated for minor injuries at the scene.

Although King had a driver's license, he didn't have a motorcycle endorsement on his license. It was unknown whether he had any training on how to ride a motorcycle, Jockers said. It was also unknown whether King was intentionally trying to stop the motorcycle the way he did by applying only the front brake, Jockers said.

An investigation is under way. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash, police said.

Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336 or spthompson@tampatrib.com.

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