A 42-year-old Odessa man died after a chain-reaction crash on Interstate 75 in Hillsborough County early Sunday, Oct. 4.

The crash happened about 1:20 a.m. on northbound I-75 near mile marker 266, close to the East Fletcher Avenue exit, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Two Harley-Davidson motorcycles collided and overturned, leaving both riders in the travel lanes, as reported by Tampa Bay 28.

The 42-year-old Odessa man and a 49-year-old Spring Hill man were lying in the roadway with serious injuries when a 28-year-old Mulberry woman driving a Chevrolet Cruze stopped to help, FHP said.

She parked in the inside emergency lane and got out of her vehicle to assist the injured riders.

Driver strikes injured motorcyclist

While the woman was helping the motorcyclists, a Dodge Challenger driven by a 22-year-old Wesley Chapel woman struck the Odessa man as he lay in the roadway, according to FHP.

The impact fatally injured him.

The Challenger then left the travel lanes and struck the unoccupied Chevrolet Cruze parked in the emergency lane.

The Spring Hill motorcyclist remained hospitalized with serious injuries.

FHP has not publicly identified the people involved.

Troopers have not said whether the Challenger driver will face charges, WTSP reported. The crash remains under investigation.

Motorcycle crashes remain a safety concern

Hillsborough County had recorded 286 motorcycle crashes and 13 motorcycle fatalities in 2026 as of early September, according to Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles data cited by WTSP.

Anyone who witnesses a crash or dangerous driving on a Florida highway can contact the Florida Highway Patrol by dialing *FHP (*347). Emergencies should be reported to 911.