MIAMI MAN KILLED IN ACCIDENT IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY

A MIAMI MOTORCYCLIST WAS KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT IN PORT CHARLOTTE LATE LAST NIGHT.  THE FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL SAYS 23 YEAR OLD ERIC MAUPIN WAS TRAVELING NORTH IN THE RIGHT TRAVEL LANE OF VETERANS BOULEVARD NEAR THERESA BOULEVARD JUST BEFORE 11PM WHEN HE CHANGED LANES TO AVOID A PICK-UP TRUCK THAT WAS MAKING A U-TURN AT THE INTERSECTION THAT WAS DRIVEN BY 17 YEAR OLD JESSE SMITH OF PORT CHARLOTTE.  THE IMPACT THREW MAUPIN FROM HIS BIKE.  HE WAS TAKEN TO THE PEACE RIVER REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER WHERE HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD A SHORT TIME LATER.  SMITH WAS NOT INJURED.  TROOPERS SAY MAUPIN WAS WEARING A HELMET AND SMITH WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT, AND THEY SAY CHARGES MAY BE PENDING THE COMPLETION OF THEIR TRAFFIC HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION.