Gainesville man killed after losing control of motorcycle
March 11, 2026
Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A 23-year-old Gainesville man was killed early this morning when he lost control of his motorcycle and was thrown into the path of a tanker truck.
According to a release from the Florida Highway Patrol, at about 2:40 a.m. on March 11, the motorcyclist was traveling westbound in the left lane of SW Archer Road while a tanker truck, driven by a 44-year-old Gainesville man, was traveling westbound in the right lane.
The motorcyclist lost control just east of SW 56th Terrace, was ejected from the motorcycle, and was thrown into the path of the tanker truck. The motorcyclist was pronounced deceased at the scene; the driver of the tanker truck was not injured.
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Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
6 Comments
Motorcycles. A fender bender in an automobile is a life and death accident on a motorcycle. No thanks.
In this particular case……I doubt it would have been a ‘fender bender’ and even if he was in a car he would have been crushed. After all it was a tanker truck. I do agree you have little margin of error with a motorcycle.
How tragic. May the young man rest in peace.
I would like the motorcycle manufacturer named in accidents involving them. Crotch rocket or touring? May provide some insight for the cause.
I believe that’s a 45 mile an hour speed zone through there makes me wonder what he was doing to lose control of the bike I’ve seen several doing wheelies during the daytime along that route
And if that’s the case, an oncoming driver can’t see head lights pointing into the sky — especially at 2:30 AM.