The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) responded to a fatal crash in Green Cove Springs on Friday involving a motorcycle.
Troopers said that Richard Earnest Rooker III, 43, died on the scene after he crashed into the back of a pickup truck on US-17 around 7 a.m. According to FHP, Rooker is from Green Cove Springs.
The driver of the truck was not injured.
The crash blocked the SB lanes of US-17 for several hours and a second crash near the scene slowed down traffic even further during the morning commute.
All lanes have since reopened.
"Motorcycle riders are a vulnerable road user, they don't have the protection that other people do in vehicles," said Sgt. Bryan with the Florida Highway Patrol.
"Typically speaking, most motorcycle riders are defensive in nature and watching out for the other guy but what's important is for everyone to watch out for motorcycles as well. Look twice before you make those lane changes..."
According to state statistics, there have been nearly 70 crashes in just over 2 years along US-17.