33-Year-Old Lakeland Man Killed In High-Speed Motorcycle Crash

LAKELAND, FL — A 33-year-old Lakeland man was killed Monday when his motorcycle slammed into a truck at an estimated 80 to 100 mph.

"Crash investigators from the Polk County Sheriff's Office believe speed and reckless driving are the primary factors in a fatal crash between a motorcycle and semi-truck," said the agency's Brian Bruchey.

John Stevens was killed shortly before 8 a.m. Monday when the motorcycle he was driving struck the flatbed trailer along U.S. Highway 92 East at Fish Hatchery Road near Lakeland.

The truck was driven by 53-year-old Blas Cabrera-Socarras of Lakeland, who is the owner/operator of the blue 2003 Freightliner. No charges were expected against Cabrera-Socarras.

"Cabrera-Socarras was not injured in the collision and was fully cooperative with the investigation," said Bruchey. "According to the preliminary investigation, Stevens was driving east on U.S. Highway 92 at a high rate of speed along with a second motorcycle which was occupied by two people. While both motorcycles were going very fast, witnesses did not believe they were racing each other."

He said the truck was heading south through an intersection and had the right of way as Stevens apparently tried to stop for a red light at Fish Hatchery Road.

"Stevens attempted to brake, leaving a skid mark of approximately 200 feet," Bruchey explained. "The motorcycle struck the center of the trailer with enough force that it bent the trailer's steel spare-tire holder. Stevens was ejected and struck the trailer."

Witnesses told deputies that the second motorcycle stopped briefly at the scene and then left.

"No charges are pending against them, but deputies would like to speak to them as witnesses to the crash," Bruchey said. "While witnesses estimated that Stevens was going between 80-100 mph, the actual speed won't be known until it is determined by the investigation."

He said Stevens was not wearing a helmet or other protective gear at the time of the crash. His license had been revoked since August of 2015. Bruchey described him as a "habitual traffic offender" who did not have a motorcycle endorsement on his license at the time of the crash.

Eastbound traffic along U.S. Highway 92 was closed for about three hours on Monday.