LAKELAND, Fla. — A motorcyclist is dead after an SUV hit him in Lakeland on Wednesday evening.
Officials said on June 18, around 7:04 p.m., Blake Odom, 26, was traveling east on North Crystal Lake Drive on a black Ducati motorcycle. At the same time, a black Chevrolet Equinox driven by Mia Smith, 32, was stopped at a stop sign on Honeytree Drive.
The SUV then proceeded south across North Crystal Lake Drive. Odom attempted to stop but crashed into the front passenger's side of the SUV.
Officials attempted life-saving measures, and Odom was taken to Lakeland Regional Health for further treatment, but he died later.
Those in the SUV were uninjured.
Officials said the road was shut down for over three hours while the scene was processed.
This is still an ongoing investigation. Those with additional information can contact Officer Travis Payne at Travis.payne@lakelandgov.net.
“You know, it might just be time we take a look if HOAs are really even necessary.
Maybe we should just do away with homeowner associations as a whole.”
South Florida lawmaker Rep. Juan Carlos Porras (R-Miami) says it may be time to do away with homeowners associations altogether, as more Floridians speak out about rising fees, costly lawsuits, and even arrests tied to HOA disputes. He said this week that he is considering filing legislation in the next session that would abolish HOAs statewide.
