A man's attempt to ride a Harley-Davison motorcycle at a Florida dealership ended in tragedy.
Richard Peach, 68, took a 2014 motorcycle for a drive in the Titus Landing parking area when he 'lost control and collided with the rear exterior wall of an unoccupied shopping venue,' according to the Titusville Police Department.
Police went to the Miracle City Harley-Davidson store around 4.15pm on Monday and took Peach to a local hospital, where he was declared dead less than 30 minutes later.
Peach, from Cocoa, was wearing a helmet, as indicated by a preliminary investigation. His Florida state driver's license had a motorcycle endorsement.
'Initial evidence showed that speed played a role in the crash,' stated the police department on Tuesday.
The crash on the 2400 block of South Hopkins Avenue did not involve any other vehicles or people.
An inquiry into the crash is ongoing.
A witness working in the area, Christopher Maglione, mentioned that the victim was driving 'the wrong way' and seemed to be traveling at 50 miles per hour.
'I'm incredibly shocked,' Maglione told FOX 35. 'I've never heard of anything like that happening in this plaza before ever.'
A motorcyclist who identified himself as Kenny informed the TV station that 'there's no protection' when riding a bike.
'If somebody bumps you in a car, you get a dent in a door,' he said. 'They bump you on this thing, you probably lose a leg.'
Titusville is about 40 miles east of Orlando, along the coastline.
Despite the hazards of motorcycling, many in the community remain dedicated riders.
In 2019, a couple, Justin Reid and Victoria Hemenes, organized a biker-themed wedding in Kyburz, California, even though they had totaled their Harley-Davison and endured serious injuries weeks earlier.
'Victoria had been into bikes before but I have been a bike enthusiast for quite a few years now,' said Justin.
'When we decided to get married, I knew I wanted a biker-themed wedding. We didn't want a normal wedding.'
.
