Motorcyclist and passenger fighting for their lives after Tavares crash Friday morning

TAVARES, Fla.—A motorcyclist and his passenger are fighting for their lives after crashing into the back of a pickup truck Friday morning, according to Tavares Police Department.

According to witnesses, shortly before 9:30 a.m., a 61-year-old Tavares man driving a white 2015 Chevy Silverado was on State Road 19 southbound stopped at the light at Dead River Road.  A 74-year-old man, who has a home in Leesburg and Michigan, was riding a 2003 Harley-Davidson motorcycle southbound on State Road 19 and failed to slow as he approached the light, TPD Public Information Officer Courtney Sullivan said.

The motorcycle slammed into the back of the Silverado, throwing the Leesburg man, and his passenger, an 82-year-old woman, from the bike, critically injuring both of them. They were each airlifted to area hospitals with life-threatening injuries, Sullivan said. Their names have not been released, pending notification of next of kin. The driver of the Silverado was not injured.

The crash closed a portion of State Road 19 for more than three hours.

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