February 28, 2009

Motorcyclist killed in Clearwater accident

CLEARWATER -- A Dunedin man was fatally injured Friday evening on McMullen Booth Road, according to the Florida Highway Patrol, when his motorcycle slid into the back of a sport utility vehicle. Jock Gray Chepren was 24.

It was around 7 p.m., according to FHP, that James Dorsett, a 58-year-old Tarpon Springs man, was driving south in a 2004 Land Rover SUV on McMullen Booth when he entered the left turn lane at the intersection of Union Street. Under a green light, Dorsett turned left onto Union.

Chepren was on a 2001 Suzuki motorcycle, driving north in the outside lane of McMullen Booth, when troopers said the SUV turned in front of him.

The motorcyclist tried to avoid a collision by turning his Suzuki onto its right side and sliding down the roadway, the FHP said. But the motorcycle hit the right-rear side of the Land Rover, ejecting Chepren. He struck the SUV and slid underneath it, leaving him critically injured.

Chepren was taken to Mease Countryside Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. He was wearing his helmet, according to the FHP.

An occupant of the SUV, Brenda Dorsett, 58, was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The investigation into the crash is continuing.


- Jamal Thalji, Times staff writer
Posted by Times Editor at 12:18:35 PM on February 28, 2009

Motorcyclist killed in Clearwater accident