Motorcycles can be an exhilarating and practical way to travel, but they are obviously much less crashproof than other motor vehicles. According to the NHTSA, there were 5,172 motorcyclists killed in 2017. This number is down 3% from 5,337 in 2016. Per mile traveled during 2017, motorcyclists were 27 times more likely to die than motor vehicle occupants. Also in 2017, there were 89,000 injuries in accidents on motorcycles. One factor that seems prevalent in motorcycle accident fatalities is intoxication. In 2017, 33% of those killed in motorcycle accidents were intoxicated. 29% of those motorcycle fatalities included someone who had a BAC of 0.08% or higher.
The Tampa Bay Times reports that a woman from Hudson has succumbed to her injuries following an accident involving a motorcycle.
The accident happened on February 6th on US-19 in Pasco County.
84-year-old Betty Brady was a passenger in a 2008 Mercedes. The driver of the vehicle attempted to cross northbound traffic US-19 to make a turn onto Beacon Woods Drive in Hudson.
The car turned into the path of a motorcycle. The motorcycle collided with the passenger side of the vehicle where Brady was seated. A 2002 Chrysler van then struck both the motorcycle and the Mercedes.
The driver of the Mercedes, Brady, the motorcyclist, and the driver of the van all incurred serious injuries in the accident. All were wearing a seat belt and the motorcyclist was wearing a helmet.
Brady succumbed to her injuries on Sunday at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point.