Motorcyclists injured after hitting alligator on I-4 in Orange City
Two motorcyclists were involved in a crash yesterday at approximately 6:08 p.m. on the westbound lanes of Interstate 4 near mile marker 110 in Orange City.
The incident involved a 2022 Suzuki GSX-R1000R and a 2021 Kawasaki Ninja 650 traveling west in the inside lane.
The motorcycles struck an alligator in the roadway, causing both riders to veer off the roadway to the left. The Suzuki entered a wooded area and would collide with a tree.
The riders, a 67-year-old man from DeLeon Springs and a 25-year-old woman from Orange City, were transported to HCA Lake Monroe Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) was dispatched to assist with the injured alligator.
The crash remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
How can you avoid being bitten by a shark? What to know before swimming in Florida waters
With the anniversary of the most iconic shark flick coming up this month, some might be worried about accidentally making their own "Jaws" when heading to the beach this summer. June 20 will mark the 50th anniversary of the blockbuster 'Jaws," inspiring an entire generation to fear these overlarge fish, particularly great white sharks. For decades, scientists have stressed that shark attacks are considered very rare and the stereotypic characterizations of sharks in media are often filled with misinformation. An annual report by the International Shark Attack File (ISAF) shows 47 confirmed unprovoked shark bites globally in 2024, with 14 in Florida. According to Tracking Shark, there have been three total shark attacks in the U.S. this year, with one involving a 12-year-old boy in Cocoa Beach, Florida. However, officials later said the laceration on his knee may have been caused by the fin of his surfboard instead of a shark. Florida has one of the largest year-round concentrations of sharks. Scientific data from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission shows that many shark species migrate in and out of Florida's waters each year. Here's how you can keep your family and yourself safe when visiting the state's beaches this summer (or anytime). Sharks usually stay within a range of 60-100 feet from shore; however, Florida Museum of Natural History research has found that most shark attacks occur within 6 to 10 feet of land. According to the International Shark Attack File, a worldwide database of shark attacks, September has the most frequent unprovoked attacks by sharks on Florida beaches. Since 1926, roughly 17% of unprovoked shark attacks in Florida have happened in September. According to ISAF, the county with the most shark attacks in the state is Volusia County, which is the 'Shark Bite Capital of the World' and home to beaches like Daytona, New Smyrna and Ormond Beach. The ISAF says the shark species responsible for most unprovoked bites on humans are the white, tiger and bull. However, the University of Florida notes that all sharks, regardless of size, are predators and could be capable of inflicting wounds if provoked. The FWC's guide to sharing the water with sharks says there's no surefire way to avoid a shark bite, but you can reduce your chances of being bitten. Most recorded shark bites are unprovoked, according to ISAF. 'Every year, millions of tourists and residents visit Florida's beaches and waterways, and these beaches and waterways will more than likely contain sharks,' the FWC says. 'According to experts, while there are no guaranteed ways to avoid shark bites, understanding shark behavior could help you make better decisions on when and where to swim.' Of the 88 shark-human interactions that ISAF investigated in 2024, 47 were unprovoked and 24 were provoked. The other 17 cases included boat bites, a shark-inflicted post-mortem bite ('scavenge') and several others were unassigned or classified as 'unconfirmed.' ISAF defines unprovoked bites as incidents where a human who didn't interact with or provoke a shark was bitten. According to ISAF, provoked bites include 'instances when divers are bitten after harassing or trying to touch sharks, bites on spearfisherman, bites on people attempting to feed sharks, bites occurring while unhooking or removing a shark from a fishing net and so forth.' Stay in groups, since sharks are more likely to bite a solitary individual. Don't wander too far from shore, which isolates you and places you far away from assistance. Avoid being in the water in the dark or during twilight hours, when sharks are most active. Don't get in the water if you're bleeding from an open wound or if menstruating. A shark's ability to smell blood is acute. Avoid wearing shiny jewelry in the water. When light reflects off of shiny jewelry – especially under the water – it resembles the sheen of fish scales and might make you look like shark food. Avoid waters with known discharges or sewage and waters used for any type of fishing – especially if there are signs of bait fish or feeding activity. Diving seabirds, which frequently feed on bait fish, are good indicators. While there are myths and anecdotes about dolphins saving humans from shark bites, the presence of dolphins doesn't mean there aren't sharks in the water – both often eat the same foods. Use extra caution when the water looks murky. Remember that sharks see contrast particularly well. Uneven tans and bright-colored clothing or swimsuits could draw a shark's attention. Try not to splash and thrash around in the water, as this may draw a shark's attention. Don't allow pets in the water: their erratic movements may draw a shark's attention. Be careful when swimming in the area between sandbars or near steep drop-offs are some of the sharks' favorite places to hang out. Swim only on beaches with lifeguards on duty. Don't get in the water if sharks are known to be present, and get out of the water if sharks are sighted. Never harass a shark. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Shark bites in Florida: How many attacks happened in 2024? See tips
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Man who died after Fort Lauderdale boat explosion operated the vessel, FWC says
A father of four died from his injuries after a boat he was driving exploded off Fort Lauderdale on Memorial Day, the man's loved ones announced in a GoFundMe fundraiser. Joshua Fifi, a 29-year-old who lived Fort Lauderdale, was identified as the man who died after the blast, according to the fundraiser page. The fundraiser, organized by Hannah Galindo, said Fifi's 'sudden passing has left his family, friends, and community in shock and grief.' The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the state police agency investigating the incident, released a statement Monday night saying Fifi was the operator of the 39-foot Sea Ray cabin cruiser. He was driving the vessel north in the Intracoastal Waterway shortly after refueling around 5:45 p.m. when he tried starting the port, or left side, inboard engine and the boat exploded, according to the FWC statement. Fifi was one of the 14 people on board the vessel, which was near the large sandbar by the New River when the flash explosion occurred. Eleven people — including two young children — were hospitalized with injuries. Some were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital's burn unit in Miami, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue said. 'Our thoughts are with the friends and family of Mr. Fifi during this difficult time,' the FWC said in its statement. READ MORE: Boat explodes off the beach in Fort Lauderdale, fire-rescue says Fire officials say the blast was likely caused by fuel vapors that ignited a flash fire when the boat was started. The source of the vapors and ignition is under investigation. Fifi's family hopes to raise $11,000 to cover Fifi's funeral and support his four children. 'Joshua was just beginning a new chapter in life,' the page said. 'He was known for his sense of humor, his easygoing spirit, and the way he could make people laugh even on the hardest days. He was someone people could count on, and now, we're coming together to support him one last time.' READ MORE: Two boats exploded off Fort Lauderdale within 5 months. Tips to avoid a similar fate
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Yahoo
7 Gulf World Marine Park dolphins OK'd to be transferred to another facility: NOAA
The Brief Dolphins are being transferred from Gulf World Marine Park in Florida's Panhandle amid deepening welfare concerns and investigations. 7 of the 11 dolphins will be transferred to a facility in St. Augustine, Florida. Four others expected to be transferred. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, USDA, and FWC have launched investigations or are assisting with investigations. PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. - Seven of the 11 dolphins at Gulf World Marine Park in Florida's Panhandle have received approval to be transferred to another facility in Florida. NOAA Fisheries confirmed to FOX 35 on Monday that it issued an emergency waiver on May 30 to transfer 7 bottlenose dolphins, and that it anticipates issuing another emergency waiver for the remaining four dolphins when a new facility is found to house them. Gulf World Marine Park has been under scrutiny over the last several weeks and months following the deaths of five dolphins and concerning inspection reports from the USDA's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service. FOX 35 reached out to the USDA on Monday for an update. What they're saying "On May 30, NOAA Fisheries issued an emergency waiver to transport 7 bottlenose dolphins to Marineland Dolphin Adventure in Florida. A separate waiver for the remaining 4 rough-toothed dolphins will be issued as soon as Gulf World makes arrangements with a facility that can receive them," NOAA said in a statement. The seven dolphins have been cleared to be transferred to Marineland Dolphin Adventure in St. Augustine, Florida. That marine park is owned by The Dolphin Company, which owns Gulf World Marine Park and three other facilities in Florida, as well as a number of facilities in Mexico and Central America. The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service released a new statement on Monday. "APHIS has been in regular contact with NOAA and continues to work collaboratively with state and federal partners. Facilities are required to notify NOAA regarding the movement of marine mammals." "APHIS takes its mission to ensure the humane treatment of animals covered by the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) very seriously. We continue to conduct inspections and work with facilities to ensure they are in compliance with regulations under the AWA," a spokesperson said in a previous statement. Enforcement actions by the USDA can include letters of warning, fines, animal license suspensions and/or revocations. The backstory At least five dolphins have died at Gulf World Marine Park in Palm Beach County, Florida, sparking outrage and protests about animal rights activists, and investigations by federal and state agencies, including USDA, FWC, and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier. Federal inspection reports note several concerns found within the facility, including dolphin holding tanks filled with algae, broken water filters, lack of shade, and deteriorating facilities. One report notes that a dolphin died during a public show in March 2025, but trainers did not respond quickly due to not being able to see the dolphin at the bottom of the tank due to the level of algae. The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has conducted 19 inspections at Gulf World Marine Park since 2014. The most recent inspections were conducted on Jan. 8 and March 4, 2025. Those inspection reports detail a facility seemingly in disrepair: "All the dolphin pools still have an excessive amount of at least 6 inches of algae bloom along all the walls and bottom of pools and clumps of algae floating in pools" - March 4 inspection "When the APHIS inspector was standing above the main pool, looking down into the water, it was difficult to see the dolphins if they are approximately three feet below the water" - March 4 inspection "At the time of the inspection, there is no working filter for dolphin east pool which went down on November 13, 2024. According to staff, the filtration for dolphin west is only functioning at 50 percent" - Jan. 8 inspection "There is an abundance of algae growth in multiple dolphin pools with the inspector scraping algae off a step that was almost 6 inches in length" - Jan. 8 inspection "The facility has lost six maintenance employees in the past three months leaving them with two maintenance employees. Additionally the facility has lost seven animal care employees in the past three months" - Jan. 8 inspection "At the time of the inspection, the penguins had been moved to an indoor room due to colder temperatures. The room where the animals are housed appears to be an storage space with carpet, old sound equipment with cords hanging down the cabinets, paint for crafts in the area, dust and debris throughout the room" - Jan. 8 inspection "The perimeter around the dolphin stadium pool is in the early stages of disrepair with paint flaking off right at the edge of the pool" - Jan. 8 inspection "The facility still has not provided shade over the far side of dolphin east pool where dry guest interactions are done, or the over the main show stage where the dolphins station for food during training sessions with the trainers or during public guest interactions after shows" - Jan. 8 inspection "Along the far wall of the sea lion stadium pool where a seal was swimming, rust is still coming through the wall and running down the wall and into the water" - Jan. 8 inspection FOX 35 Orlando reached out to The Dolphin Company and Gulf World Marine Park on Friday for comment, but did not hear back. According to its website, The Dolphin Company operates 21 dolphin experiences and marine aquariums in the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Italy. There are four in Florida: Gulf World, Panama City Marineland, St. Augustine Miami Seaquarium, Miami Dolphin Connection, Duck Key It's unclear if the state's investigation includes the other Florida facilities. USA Today reported that Mexico-based The Dolphin Company filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this year. The Source The information in this article comes from statements and/or social media posts from Attorney General James Uthmeier, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service, public USDA inspection reports, local and national media reports, and a March 24 news release from the City of Panama Beach.