VERO BEACH — Surveillance footage captured a motorcyclist traveling more than 100 mph moments before he crashed into a concrete utility pole last week, police say. The man was identified by police as 25-year-old Mario Raya, of Sebastian, said Lt. Chris Roberts, a spokesperson for the Vero Beach Police Department.
“Speed was the sole contributing factor as to the cause of this crash,” Vero Beach police said in a statement. “This is a tragic reminder to please drive safely and adhere to the posted speed limits on the roadways.”
Vero Beach police responded to reports of a body in the grassy median Friday, July 17 at the intersection of Eighth Avenue and 21st Street. Officers said Raya was driving a 2008 Honda CBR1000 motorcycle when the vehicle veered off the roadway and slammed into the utility pole shortly after midnight.
Detectives later reviewed multiple traffic cameras that captured Raya traveling along U.S. 1. as he entered Vero Beach. Police determined the motorcycle was traveling at 113 mph as it passed through the intersection of 15th Place and U.S. 1, about a half mile from where the vehicle wrecked.
The posted speed limit in the area of the crash is 35 mph, Roberts said. The investigation into the deadly wreck continues.
