Two motorcyclists died in Dunnellon Saturday night after colliding with the fence bordering Rainbow Springs State Park, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Justin William Richard, 22, of Weeki Wachee, and Douglas Scott Keller, 27, of Citrus Springs, were found dead Sunday morning near a paved trail in the park near the scattered remnants of their bikes.
The two men rode south on Southwest 180th Avenue Road before missing the curve north of Southwest 102nd Street Road in front of Dunnellon High School, according to the FHP.
The two drove off the road at nearly the same location at about 10:30 p.m. Saturday, running through the western grassy shoulder.
Both drivers were ejected as Richard’s 2005 Suzuki ran into the wire fence and Keller’s 2004 Honda hit one of the large wooden posts supporting the fence.
According to the report, Keller and his bike then continued into a small stand of trees, where the motorcycle broke into multiple pieces.
Richard tumbled with his bike further to the south through trees and brush before the bike shattered against a large tree and Richard came to rest near one of the park’s paved trails, where the bodies and wreckage were found Sunday morning.