JSO: 2 motorcyclists killed in head-on crash while doing stunts outside Northside warehouse

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Two motorcyclists died after colliding in a warehouse parking lot on the Northside while street racing Sunday night.

The crash happened around 8:20 p.m. on Cold Storage Road. At least six motorcyclists were in the parking lot.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said the two riders who died were performing stunts while doing so. However, a rider in the stunt community says the two bikers were more likely drag racing out there.

“The bikes that were involved in the accident were not of this caliber,” Garage Zero lead mechanic Curtis Gill said.

Gill showed Action News Jax certain parts of a stunt bike that allow it to do tricks.

“The people that unfortunately were involved in the accident are not necessarily a part of the stunt community. We do happen to know them, but they’re more of the drag-racing community,” Gill said.

Gill said the motorcyclists involved in the crash probably weren’t stunting like he does.

He said stunts involve special tricks at low speeds.

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“They were racing back and forth, happened to be heading toward each other, ended up in a head-on collision and unfortunately passed at the scene,” Gill said.

He pointed out the bikes Action News Jax saw on scene are not used for stunting.

“That was a CRF, typically a dirt bike. However, one has street tires on it to get a better grip on the road,” Gill said.

Tire marks at Imeson Park show a range of paths throughout the lot.

JSO hasn’t yet determined if the two men were racing when they crashed and are still investigating.

Police were unable to disclose if there is an ongoing issue in this specific location with street racing.

However, Gill said he knows it to be a popular spot.

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“It’s a long open space that typically there’s no traffic you have to worry about. So, I will say that place has been visited quite a few times,” Gill said.

He also added it’s a place people show up to practice a number of things.

“Not just stunt riding. There’s been car clubs out there that go out and do burnouts, things of that nature,” Gill said.

JSO said it depends on the circumstances surrounding the situation if what’s going on is illegal.

One biker doing a wheelie may not be criminal but a crowd watching racing is similar to reckless driving.

Action News Jax law and safety expert Dale Carson said since two people died in the incident, it could be considered traffic homicide.

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“If someone was involved in setting up the race and allowing the people to race on that private piece of property even though it’s accessible to the public. That person could be charged with homicide,” Carson said.

Action News Jax reached out to Imeson Park South for comment on the crash. We have not heard back yet.

JSO said there is a way for private businesses to prevent something like this happening on their property.

“Per our earlier conversation, any business wishing to have a ‘Trespass Authorization’ on file with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office can do so by visiting any of the JSO Sub-Stations or Police Memorial Building. This form allows the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to order a trespasser to leave private property if there is a threat to public safety or welfare without the presence of a business representative,” JSO Officer Tami Rush said.

Gill said the stunt-riding community has its own set of rules that it follows to keep everyone safe as well. He added having a designated space for activities like this would help.

“We’re trying to be as safe as possible. If there was a way we could possibly have a spot to do this legally would be even better for the community,” Gill said.

This marks the 46th and 47th traffic fatalities this year and the 10th and 11th motorcycle fatalities in Jacksonville.