Motorcycle Crash Claims 2 Lives

A Saturday evening motorcycle crash on Pasco County’s Fort King Highway has left two people dead.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Shane Bowling, 24, of St. Petersburg, was heading south on Fort King Highway around 8:30 p.m. Bowling, a highway patrol media release said, was cresting a hill near Phelps Road at a high rate of speed at the time.

As Bowling approached the hill, a Dodge Dart driven by David Hemphill of Zephyrhills turned left onto Fort King after stopping at the Phelps Road stop sign. The motorcycle, however, quickly overtook the Dart, the highway patrol said. The bike struck the car, causing both passengers of the motorcycle to be ejected.

Bowling died at the scene.

His passenger, Caitlyn Marie Bradley, 20, of New Brockton, Ala., died later at a local hospital.

Troopers say no charges are anticipated in the crash.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol