Fiery Crash Kills Inverness Man, Driver Charged With DUI Manslaughter

HUDSON, FL — An Inverness motorcyclist died in a fiery crash on US-19 and a driver involved is charged with DUI manslaughter, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

A Chevy Impala, driven by Melissa Annette Lopez, 25, of Hudson, was northbound on US-19 when Lopez turned left on a flashing yellow left signal at the intersection of Sea Ranch Drive. Lopez pulled into the path of a Kawasaki motorcycle driven by a 21-year-old Inverness man, who was southbound on US-19, state police said.

The motorcycle struck the side of Lopez's car and caught fire. The biker was taken to an area hospital, where he died from injuries suffered in the crash, the patrol said.

Authorities have not released the victim's name.

Lopez was later arrested and charged with DUI manslaughter, DUI property damage, driving with no driver license involving a death, and lewd and lascivious conduct.

She is being held at the Pasco County Jail.