A 52-year-old scooter driver was killed in a Christmas Day crash with a sedan on U.S. 27 in Davenport, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said.
Authorities said Ruben Perez was leaving a gas station parking lot on his 2019 Tao Scooter when the crash happened around 11:30 a.m. near Jacks Road.
According to officials, Perez crossed multiple lanes while trying to reach the inside lane of the highway and drove into the path of a 2022 blue Subaru WRX.
The driver of the Subaru hit Perez’s scooter, sending Perez onto the sedan’s hood and into the windshield, according to the sheriff’s office.
The driver hit the brakes, coming to a stop about 75 feet from the point of impact, according to authorities. Perez was carried north a short distance before officials said he rolled off in front of the Subaru.
Perez was unresponsive when first responders arrived. Crews performed CPR and took Perez to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Deputies said he was not wearing a helmet.
No other injuries were reported. Officials said the driver of the Subaru and a passenger stayed at the scene.
The crash remained under investigation Friday, though authorities said they do not believe excessive speed or impairment were factors.
Almost got one myself on Xmas as well. Northbound on SR39 north of Pasco line – electric bike runs a stop sign at about 40 and then does a kamikaze move across the road between traffic traveling st 60+ mph. Get those dashcams, folks. Got the whole thing recorded.