A motorcyclist died on Thursday afternoon, May 21, 2026, after colliding with a dump truck at the intersection of U.S. 41 and the southbound entrance ramp to Interstate 275 in Manatee County, according to a press release from the Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers said the crash occurred around 4:20 p.m. when a 2019 Kenworth dump truck, driven by a 59-year-old North Port man, was stopped in the southbound left-turn lane on U.S. 41 at the entrance ramp intersection near mile marker 2.
A 2025 Kawasaki motorcycle was traveling north on U.S. 41 toward the same intersection, troopers said. After stopping, the truck began turning left toward the southbound I-275 entrance ramp as the motorcycle entered the same intersection from the opposite direction.
The front of the motorcycle struck the right side of the truck, according to the troopers.
The motorcyclist, who was wearing a helmet, was pronounced dead at the scene. The truck driver was not injured.
Troopers said the investigation remains ongoing, including questions about the traffic signal’s color at the time of the crash and the speeds of both vehicles.
According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, this is at least the fifth motorcycle death in 2026 in Manatee County. There have been at least 60 crashes involving motorcycles.
Please support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Fifth motorcyclist dies in 2026 in Manatee County; hits a dump truck
Reporting by Chris Anderson, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
