A serious crash on US-301 Tuesday night has left a local motorcyclist hospitalized and the community shaken.
According to officials, the collision occurred around 9 p.m. just south of State Road 56. A Chevy Trax driven by a 49-year-old Wesley Chapel woman was traveling southbound when she attempted a U-turn. As she crossed into the northbound lanes, her vehicle entered the path of a Yamaha motorcycle operated by a 33-year-old Zephyrhills man.
The motorcycle collided with the Trax, resulting in severe injuries to the rider. Emergency responders quickly arrived on scene, providing critical care before the man was airlifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Residents who frequently travel the busy corridor say the crash is another reminder of the need for caution on the rapidly developing stretch of US-301, where traffic has increased significantly in recent years.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident.