Motorcyclist killed in early morning crash on Carrabelle bridge

A 23-year-old Douglasville, Georgia man was killed early Sunday morning when he was thrown from his motorcycle while coming off the bridge into Carrabelle.

At about 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning, according to a report from the Florida Highway Patrol, the motorcyclist, Mason Cochran, was coming on to the bridge into Carrabelle, when he failed to negotiate a right curve, and traveled into the north paved emergency shoulder before colliding with the concrete bridge wall. 

The report from the Florida Highway Patrol said the motorcycle went airborne after colliding with the wall, and threw the man onto the north grassy shoulder at County Road 67A, which is 11th Street West. The motorcycle became completely engulfed in flames upon impact with the ground.

Carrabelle Police Chief Kevin Shuman, who arrived at the scene soon after the crash, said he was informed by his officers that the motocyclist was seen by sheriff’s deputies speeding in Eastpoint. The sheriff’s deputies did not lodge a pursuit, and notified the Carrabelle police officers, who were stationed at Airport Road, of the motorycle.

Shuman said the police officers were preparing to follow the speeding cyclist when  the motorcycle sped by at what appeared to be speeds in excess of 90 mph. 

Shuman said he helped mark with orange paint, for the FHP investigation, the areas on the bridge where the motorcyclist struck, and the ground where the cyclist landed, and they indicate he traveled a considerable distance after hitting the bridge wall.

FHP was assisted by Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Carrabelle Police Department, Carrabelle Fire Department, and Franklin County Emergency Medical Services.