Motorcyclist Dies After Landing in Oncoming Patrol Car's Path

TAMPA, FL — A motorcycle crash on southbound Interstate 275 Wednesday night took a fatal turn when a Tampa man was ejected and thrown over a barrier wall into northbound travel lanes.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Joel Matthew Shubert of Tampa was riding a Suzuki motorcycle southbound on I-275 in the downtown area around 11:37 p.m. Nov. 16. Shubert, a highway patrol report said, lost control of his motorcycle, left the inside lane and struck the center concrete barrier wall.

After hitting the barrier wall, troopers say Shubert was ejected from his bike, thrown over the wall and landed in the inside northbound lane. At that time, a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office patrol car, driven by Jane Hanna, 26, of Largo, was heading north. Hanna’s cruiser struck Shubert, the report said.

Shubert was pronounced dead at the scene.

Alcohol is not a suspected factor in the crash, the report said. Shubert was wearing a helmet at the time of the wreck.

No charges were filed, according to the patrol’s report.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol