By Marissa Lang, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
HOLIDAY — A 62-year-old motorcyclist was rushed to the hospital Tuesday night after colliding with a car and being thrown from his motorcycle, troopers said.
Ronald Paul Jaszczak, 62, of Holiday was driving his 2001 motorcycle west on Alternate U.S. 19 just before 7 p.m. when a car turned into his path, officials said.
The 2004 Nissan Frontier driven by Melissa Anne Daugherty, 33, of New Port Richey had been travelling south on Carillon Street. After pausing at a stop sign, officials said, Daugherty attempted to make a left turn from the wrong side of Carillon Street and drove directly into Jaszczak's path.
As the motorcycle collided with the left front of the Nissan, Jaszczak was thrown off the bike, onto the hood of the car and into the road, troopers said.
Jaszczak was not wearing a helmet, and was taken to Bayonet Point Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. Daugherty suffered minor injuries.
Florida Highway Patrol officials estimate about $5,000 in damages to the motorcycle and about $8,000 to the Nissan.
An investigation remained under way Wednesday morning.