By Rita Farlow, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, October 3, 2010
PALM HARBOR — A 22-year-old motorcyclist died Saturday after a car turned in front of him on U.S. 19, authorities said.
The motorcyclist's passenger and the driver of the car were also injured in the accident, which happened about 9:30 p.m.
Justin Edward Short, who was driving a 2006 Suzuki motorcycle, was taken by helicopter to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, where he was pronounced dead at 11:13 p.m.
His passenger, 21-year-old Krystyna Alayn Clark, was also taken to Bayfront by helicopter. She sustained serious injuries but was in stable condition, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Short and Clark are both from Hudson.
The driver of the car, Jamie Amber Henson, 28, of Palm Harbor was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa.
According to the patrol, which is investigating, Henson was southbound on U.S. 19 at Bilgore Grove Boulevard when she turned left into the path of Short, who was driving north.
The motorcycle hit the 1991 Mitsubishi Henson was driving, and Short and Clark were ejected. Both were wearing helmets. Alcohol was not believed to be a factor.
Henson has not been charged, though an accident report said she violated Short's right of way. An investigation is ongoing.