FHP: 2 killed in motorcycle crash in Arlington
2 thrown off flyover overpass when motorcycle hit wall, FHP says
By News4Jax.com Staff Posted: 5:15 AM, June 24, 2016 Updated: 11:19 AM, June 24, 2016
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A motorcyclist from Ormond Beach and his female passenger died early Friday morning when he lost control of his bike on the Arlington Expressway flyover ramp to the Southside Connector, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Motorcyclist Eli Michael Holley, 39, and passenger Renae McLaughlin, 34, were headed east on the ramp just after 2:30 a.m. when the motorcycle left the road and hit a concrete wall, throwing the two from the motorcycle and off the overpass.
Both died at the scene.
McLaughlin is listed as a special education teacher's aide at First Coast High School. She had two children.
Family photo of Eli Holley
Holley's brother, Tyler Holley, said Eli was "always a gentleman, fun, and a loyal friend and brother."
He said Eli was a motorcycle enthusiast and died doing what he loved. He said his brother had been living with him and attending Tulsa Welding School, where he recently earned a 4.0 GPA.
Eli also worked as a bartender at Dave & Buster's, Tyler said.
FHP reported that alcohol was a factor in the crash. The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office also responded to the crash.
Traffic in the area was detoured until just after 7:15 a.m.
DO NOT SPEED, DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE, DO NOT TEXT; SAVE YOUR LIFE