Motorcyclist Dies in Fiery Crash with Tractor-Trailer on Broadway

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL – A Seffner man, 30, died Tuesday when his motorcycle burst into flames after colliding with a tractor-trailer and a car at the Broadway Avenue and Queen Palm Drive intersection, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said.

Michael E. Pierce was traveling east on Broadway at 4:45 p.m. on his Suzuki sports bike at a high rate of speed approaching approximately 10 cars stopped behind the truck that was preparing to make a left turn, deputies said. Officials said Pierce attempted to pass the line of cars in the westbound lanes as the truck driver, a 51-year-old man from Homestead, began his turn.

A Hyundai Sonata driver, a male, 20, from Tampa, meanwhile, was turning right from southbound Queen Palm onto westbound Broadway, deputies said.

"Mr. Pierce attempted to brake, but laid the bike down as he realized he could not stop in time," the department said. "The motorcycle slid into the drive axles of the tractor-trailer. The gas tank ruptured the gas tank of the motorcycle causing gas to be splattered onto the tractor which ignited. Mr. Pierce tumbled along the ground and struck the Hyundai preparing to turn."

Pierce died at the scene, and the truck and motorcycle were destroyed in the fire, deputies said.

The truck driver and the Hyundai driver were not injured, the agency said, adding that no charges are expected in the case.

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