PANAMA CITY BEACH — A driver ejected from a wreck Monday said he was stranded for about an hour in critical condition after the crash, according to Florida Highway Patrol reports.
Michael J. Smith, 47, of Panama City Beach said the single-vehicle crash happened around midnight Monday, but because of his injuries he was unable to call for help, FHP reported. Friends of Smith used a cellphone positioning app to locate him about an hour later and alerted authorities.
Smith was driving a 2004 Harley Davidson motorcycle east on Panama City Beach Parkway near Downing Street Monday at about midnight. For an unknown reason, Smith entered the median and traveled 163 feet before entering the westbound lanes of U.S. 98, officers reported.
Smith traveled across the westbound lane and then entered the tree line north of the road. The motorcycle overturned, ejecting him about 76 feet north of the roadway, FHP said.
Smith was taken to a local hospital with critical injuries. FHP reported he was not wearing a helmet at the time.