ORANGE CITY, Fla. — In an unusual incident on one of Florida’s most frequented highways, two motorcyclists collided with a 6-foot alligator, resulting in both riders being hospitalized with minor injuries. The accident took place on Interstate 4, near Orange City, prompting a response from local authorities.
The motorcyclists involved in the accident were a 67-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman, part of a larger group of bikers. They encountered the alligator while riding on the highway late Saturday evening, reported Lt. Tara Crescenzi from the Florida Highway Patrol. The impact sent both riders off course, with the man’s motorcycle eventually crashing into a tree. Medical assistance was swiftly provided, and both victims were transported to a local hospital, as confirmed by Crescenzi.
Cameron Gilmore, one of the motorcyclists, recounted to a local news outlet, “I’m blessed, I was protected. I just remember one of my friends swerving, and I’m looking at him swerving, and then there’s the gator, like 10 feet in front of me.” Gilmore sustained some broken bones in his foot and suffered road rash from the encounter.
Orange City, positioned approximately 30 miles (48 kilometers) northeast of Orlando, sees a speed limit of 60 mph (96.5 kph) on this section of the highway. Stretching across central Florida, Interstate 4 connects Tampa to Daytona Beach. In light of the incident, Florida wildlife officers were summoned to secure the injured alligator. At the time of reporting, there was no available update on the condition of the alligator from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Although alligators inhabit all 67 counties in Florida, with an estimated population of 1.3 million, incidents involving injuries from these reptiles remain rare, according to the state’s wildlife commission. This unexpected encounter serves as a reminder of the wild nature of Florida’s diverse ecosystem and the potential surprises it can bring to everyday life.