Another motorcycle. Another intersection. Another deadly left turn.

A 65-year-old motorcyclist is dead in St. Petersburg, Florida, after police say an SUV turned directly across his path—and now investigators have released surveillance video of the vehicle they believe was involved.

The crash happened shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday at the intersection of 4th Street North and 9th Avenue North.

According to the St. Petersburg Police Department, the motorcyclist was traveling south on 4th Street North while a dark-colored Mercedes SUV was traveling northbound.

Police say the Mercedes turned west onto 9th Avenue North directly in front of the motorcycle, causing the collision.

The rider was taken to Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital, where he later died from his injuries. (Fox 13 News)

Then the SUV left.

Surveillance Video Released

On Monday, St. Petersburg police released surveillance footage showing the dark-colored Mercedes they are searching for.

Investigators say the SUV should have significant damage to its front-right side.

Police are asking anyone who recognizes the vehicle or knows anything about the crash to contact investigators at 727-893-9970.

The investigation remains active, and police say the driver faces a first-degree felony in connection with leaving the scene. (Fox 13 News)

But beyond the hit-and-run investigation, this crash highlights a danger every motorcyclist knows all too well:

The lethal left turn.

Left Turns Are One of the Biggest Threats to Motorcyclists

A motorcycle can be traveling straight through an intersection with the right of way when a vehicle suddenly turns across its path.

There may be only seconds—or fractions of a second—for the rider to recognize the threat and react.

And the statistics show just how dangerous this situation is.

Research published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that 26% of fatal two-vehicle motorcycle crashes from 2017 through 2021 involved another vehicle turning left in front of an oncoming motorcycle.

It was the most frequent type of fatal two-vehicle motorcycle crash identified in the study. (IIHS)

Other research cited by the National Conference of State Legislatures found that 45% of two-vehicle fatal crashes involving a motorcycle and another moving vehicle involved the other vehicle turning left while the motorcycle was traveling straight, passing or overtaking. (NCSL)

The numbers tell a disturbing story:

Left turns and motorcycles are a deadly combination.

Why Does It Keep Happening?

Motorcycles are smaller than passenger vehicles, which can make them more difficult for drivers to see and accurately judge for speed and distance.

A driver may see the motorcycle—but misjudge how quickly it is approaching.

The driver commits to the turn.

The motorcycle continues forward.

And suddenly the rider is facing a vehicle crossing directly through their path.

That’s why a driver waiting to turn left needs to do more than simply glance toward oncoming traffic.

Look. Wait. Look again.

Look specifically for motorcycles.

Don’t assume an approaching motorcycle is farther away than it actually is.

Don’t rush the turn to beat the traffic.

And don’t let a motorcycle’s smaller size fool you into thinking you have more time than you really do.

The Stakes Are Enormous

In 2024 alone, 6,228 motorcyclists were killed in crashes across the United States, according to NHTSA.

Motorcyclists represented 16% of all traffic fatalities that year, and their fatality rate per vehicle mile traveled was nearly 27 times higher than that of passenger-car occupants. (NHTSA)

Every left turn across a motorcycle’s path is a potential life-or-death situation.

In St. Petersburg, police now have surveillance footage that may help identify the driver who made this particular turn.

For the family of the rider who didn’t make it home, investigators are hoping someone recognizes that Mercedes.

And for every driver on the road, the lesson is simple:

Before you make that left turn, look twice for motorcycles.

Because for the rider coming toward you, that turn may be the difference between making it home and never seeing another sunrise.