Florida weather makes bicycling a popular activity in Florida for both residents and tourists alike. Furthermore, current stay-at-home orders have made bicycling a common pastime. While major cities such as Miami and Orlando may have designated bike lanes, smaller cities and rural areas do not. Unfortunately, the popularity of cycling combined with the number of motor vehicles on roadways often makes for a dangerous combination.
Florida leads the nation in bicyclist fatalities at 5.7 million. There are 110 deaths annually on average in Florida caused by bicycle collisions. Alcohol was a contributing factor in as many as 100 fatal Florida bicycle accidents between 2013 and 2016. More than half of those involved in these accidents had blood alcohol levels of between 0.15 and 0.30.
WKRG reports that a bicyclist killed in a crash in Destin has been identified.
The crash occurred last Thursday just before midnight at the intersection of Harbor Boulevard and Beach Drive.
The victim in the accident was riding a bicycle. Two others suffered from injuries when the car hit a tree following the crash with the cyclist. Circumstances surrounding the cause of the initial collision with the cyclist and the off-road accident are still being investigated.
The victim has been identified as 35-year-old David Raphael Abrahams. He was struck by two vehicles and pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the first vehicle suffered major injuries after striking the tree. The second passenger suffered from injuries that were not incapacitating.
Police are still investigating the crash and are asking any witnesses to come forward.
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