An off-duty Pinellas County Sheriff's Office employee riding a motorcycle on U.S. 19 died Friday after an afternoon crash, deputies said.
Adam J. Herrick, 25, of Palm Harbor was a civilian employee who helped detention staff with security matters at Pinellas County Jail. He died after the 2:30 p.m. crash on U.S. 19 near Colonial Boulevard in Palm Harbor, a sheriff's office release said.
Before the crash, a 2004 Jeep Liberty driven by Cynthia Vargas, 20, of Tarpon Springs was southbound on U.S. 19 in the left-turn lane. She made a U-turn at the intersection and drove across three lanes, entering the northbound outside lane and into Herrick's path, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Preliminary reports indicated Herrick was driving his 2007 Suzuki above the posted speed limit, a highway patrol release said {not so, adjacent motorist says she was going the same speed as Adam, just keeping with the traffic flow}. The front of Herrick's Suzuki struck the Jeep's right rear. Herrick was ejected from the motorcycle, and he and his vehicle landed on the outside shoulder of U.S. 19. He was wearing a helmet, the highway patrol said.
Herrick, who was hired by the sheriff's office in October 2005, was taken by helicopter to St. Petersburg's Bayfront Medical Center, where he died.
He was off duty when the crash occurred.
Herrick's father, Darrell Herrick, retired as a sergeant from the sheriff's office, spokesman Jim Bordner said.
Adam Herrick "was fun-loving, caring, full of love, full of life," Darrell Herrick said.
He said his son always wanted to be involved in law enforcement.
Vargas was taken to Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital. Details on her condition were not available.
Funeral arrangements were pending. {upwards of 300 people attended, with awesome tributes}
The Florida Highway Patrol was investigating the crash.
Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691 or jpoltilove@tampatrib.com.