Alcohol not a factor in motorcycle collision

Historic City News learned that troopers have determined alcohol was not a factor in yesterday’s collision that sent 46 year-old St. Augustine resident Patrick L. Whelan to Shands Jacksonville Trauma Center after he collided with a vehicle on US-1 near Palencia.

According to the FHP report filed by Trooper Shorter, Whelan was traveling on his 2008 Harley Davidson motorcycle, northbound on US-1, when a Ford SUV turned left in front of him onto Palencia Village Drive.

Whelan struck the right-rear end of the 2004 SUV; driven by 64 year-old Rickey L. Traylor of Jacksonville. Whelan was ejected off the motorcycle and transported to the hospital by air-ambulance for what were described at the scene as “serious injuries”.

It was estimated that both the SUV and motorcycle each sustained about $3,000 in damage. Traylor did not sustain any injuries according to the traffic collision report.

Charges are pending — Whelan’s condition today is unknown.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News contributed photograph by Cory Mara