PANAMA CITY BEACH – One person died in a Sunday motorcycle crash in Panama City Beach, the Florida Highway Patrol reported.
FHP reported the passenger of the motorcycle, a 55-year-old, was pronounced dead at Bay Medical Center Sacred Heart following the crash at 2:10 p.m. FHP did not release the name of the person, pending notification of next-of-kin. The driver of the motorcycle, Ronald Melvin Cowen, 58, of Callaway, was listed in critical condition at Bay Medical, according to the FHP report.
Cowen and his passenger traveled eastbound on Panama City Beach Parkway on a 2010 Honda motorcycle, FHP reported. Maureen Herrity Baker, 51, of Panama City, also traveled eastbound in a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 Van, FHP reported.
Baker slowed to make a right turn onto Le Grand Drive, Cowen failed to observe the slowed vehicle and the front of the motorcycle collided with the rear of the van, according to the FHP. Cowen and his passenger were thrown from the motorcycle and transported to Bay Medical, FHP reported.
Cowen and his passenger were not wearing helmets, according to an FHP report. Alcohol results for Cowen were pending, according to the FHP report.
Baker had no injuries, FHP reported. She was wearing a seatbelt and alcohol was not a factor in her role in the crash, according to the FHP.
The investigation continues and charges are pending, FHP said.