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Man Dies after Downtown Motorcycle Crash

The driver of the motorcycle remains in serious but stable condition. 'At this point, it is unclear if the crash was a tragic accident or if a crime has occurred,' a TPD official says.

 

One of the men involved in Saturday's motorcycle accident died Sunday morning, and the other man is in serious but stable condition, according to an update from the Tampa Police Department.

Kyle John Viticonte, 23, and Matthew Heilman, 24, were traveling westbound on Cleveland Street at Magnolia Avenue on a 2009 Harley Davidson motorcycle at about 6:45 p.m. Jan. 26. When Viticonte observed stopped traffic, he began to brake but lost control and the motorcycle slid on the ground, according to a TPD media release.

Heilman of Thornwood, NY, was on the back of the motorcycle when the collision occured. He struck his head and suffered life threatening injuries, according to TPD.

Both men were transported to Tampa General Hospital.

Heilman died early Sunday morning, TPD spokeswoman Laura McElroy said in the release.

Viticonte of Ormond Beach, is recovering from surgery. He remains in serious but stable condition at TGH.

An initial report from Tampa Fire Recue indicated that the motorcycle struck a bus. No other injuries were reported at that time, according to Tampa Fire Rescue.

"At this point, it is unclear if the crash was a tragic accident or if a crime has occurred," McElroy said. "Detectives have been unable to interview the driver due to his medical condition. It is unclear where the young men were prior to the crash or where they were headed."

The investigation is ongoing.

Related Topics: South Tampa Traffic Fatality and Tampa Police Department

joyce michele

12:59 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013

poor men... a crime? your idea of an accident of this magnitude is really interesting....
how about if we take a moment of silence for their family and friends and for the now fighting survivor?

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Tampa Bay

1:11 pm on Sunday, March 10, 2013

I knew Kyle very well and he has been a serious drinker for the past few years. Guarantee that there is a good possibility that he was under the influence and that could very well constitute for a crime.

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