VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Tragedy struck late Saturday night on State Road 40 when a 35-year-old Ormond Beach man lost his life in a head-on collision with an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) confirmed the fatal crash occurred around 11:50 p.m., approximately west of the Pine Woods Road intersection.

The motorcyclist was operating a 1985 Honda CMX250, traveling eastbound, when a 2017 Can-Am Outlander ATV, driven by a 28-year-old woman with a 22-year-old female passenger, unexpectedly veered into his lane from the right shoulder. The two vehicles collided directly, resulting in catastrophic injuries.

First responders, including Volusia County Fire Rescue and EMS, arrived swiftly. Despite their life-saving efforts, the motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene from his injuries. The two women on the ATV were transported critically injured to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach.

Authorities emphasized that the motorcyclist was the only one wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The FHP is working to determine what led the ATV to cross into the opposite lane, investigating factors such as vehicle control, environmental conditions, and potential impairment.

State Road 40, known for dense foliage and limited street lighting, has seen rising concerns over safety after several serious incidents. This latest death has renewed calls from local officials and road safety advocates for stricter enforcement and better awareness of the dangers of operating recreational vehicles like ATVs on high-speed public roadways.

FHP investigators are continuing work at the scene — photographing, mapping, and interviewing witnesses — as they piece together the events leading up to the crash. No criminal charges have been suggested at this point.

In the wake of this tragedy, community members are paying tribute to the loss of a life, while safety advocates reiterate a warning: ATVs are not designed for highway use and lack the necessary safety features—such as lights and crash protection—to withstand high-speed collisions.

Summary:

• Victim: 35-year-old motorcyclist from Ormond Beach

• Incident: Head-on collision with ATV on State Road 40 near Pine Woods Road

• Time: ~11:50 p.m. on Saturday

• ATV: Can-Am Outlander with two female riders (ages 28, 22) seriously injured

• Investigation: Ongoing; factors like visibility, vehicle design, and behavior being assessed

• Safety note: Reinforces guidance against using off-road vehicles on public highways

This heart-wrenching accident underscores the critical need for vigilance and caution on Florida’s rural roadways.