PORT ST. LUCIE – A 35-year-old Port St. Lucie e-bike rider was fatally injured when he hit the loading ramp of a trailer at Northeast Floresta Drive and Northeast Airoso Boulevard in Port St. Lucie on Nov. 11, police said.
According to Port St. Lucie Police, Richard Kenneth Douglas Willis was riding an e-bike south on the east side of Northeast Airoso Boulevard at about 12:09 p.m., when he struck the loading ramp of a 2018 Dodge Ram pickup truck which was turning north onto Northeast Airoso Boulevard from westbound Northeast Floresta Drive.
Willis was apparently unable to negotiate the curve on the sidewalk and hit the ramp on the rear passenger side of the 2021 flat utility trailer carrying a skid steer, according to police reports. Willis, who was ejected from the e-bike, sustained serious injuries. He was taken to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce where he was later pronounced deceased, according to police reports.
The driver of the Dodge remained on scene and cooperated with the investigation, police said. There was no indication of impairment of the driver, who had a green light and was making a proper turn, according to police reports. Witnesses estimated the e-bike was traveling at about 30 mph just before the crash, according to police reports.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or may have video of the crash is asked to call
Officer Brian Thompson, traffic homicide investigator, at 772-871-5001 or Treasure Coast Crimestoppers at 800-273-8477.