TWO PEOPLE WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED IN A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT IN PORT CHARLOTTE LATE LAST NIGHT. THE FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL SAYS 37 YEAR OLD JASON FINNEGAN OF PORT CHARLOTTE WAS SOUTHBOUND ON TOLEDO BLADE BOULEVARD APPROACHING STATE ROAD 776 JUST BEFORE 10:15PM WHEN HE FAILED TO NEGOTIATE A SHARP CURVE IN THE ROADWAY. HE TRAVELED ONTO THE GRASS SHOULDER AND SPUN OUT, EJECTING HIMSELF AND HIS PASSENGER, 28 YEAR OLD HELEN BOTEL OF PARRISH FROM THE BIKE. BOTH WERE TAKEN BY HELICOPTER TO LEE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL; FINNEGAN IS LISTED IN CRITICAL CONDITION WHILE BOTEL IS IN STABLE CONDITION. TROOPERS SAY NEITHER RIDER WAS WEARING THEIR HELMET, AND CHARGES ARE PENDING THE COMPLETION OF THEIR INVESTIGATION, ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE RULED OUT ALCOHOL AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE.
