Motorcyclist killed in collision

ALACHUA – An Alachua County resident was killed in a motorcycle crash late Friday morning on Oct. 4.

Eric Cowart, 36, collided with a box van on U.S. Highway 441, next to Santa Fe High School. A witness at the scene said he was still breathing after the crash, but Jesse Sandusky, detective for the Alachua Police Department, said he was dead when they arrived at the scene.

The driver of the box truck was not injured, Sandusky said.

The accident was reported at about 11 a.m.

Cowart was heading north, riding his 1976 Harley-Davidson, when Michael Gassett, driving a school board box van, hit him while turning left onto County Road 235A.

Police redirected traffic around the crash, as law enforcement interviewed Gassett. The body, lying next to the motorcycle, was covered up.  

Cowart’s license indicates he has a Gainesville address, but he actually lives in High Springs.

Police are still investigating the crash to determine if there is any fault, he said. The driver has been charged with a right-of-way violation, but the investigation is not over.  

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