PLANT CITY, FL – On Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at approximately 5:45 p.m., a fatal crash occurred on Interstate 4 west of State Road 566 in Polk County.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 26-year-old man from Lakeland was operating a Yamaha motorcycle traveling westbound on Interstate 4 at a high rate of speed. The motorcyclist overtook two tractor-trailers that were traveling side-by-side in the center and outside lanes.
As the rider attempted to lane-split between the trucks, he lost control of the Yamaha motorcycle and fell off. The motorcyclist was then struck by the tractor-trailer traveling in the center lane and suffered fatal injuries at the scene.
The tractor-trailer that struck the motorcyclist continued westbound on SR-400 and remains unidentified. No information was provided on the driver or the second tractor-trailer.
The Florida Highway Patrol is asking anyone with information about this incident to contact FHP by calling *FHP or *347.
This is an ongoing investigation.
SOURCE: FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL
