VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A 34‑year‑old Sanford woman died Friday afternoon after falling off a motorcycle on Interstate 95 in Volusia County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Troopers say the woman, whose name has not been released, fell asleep while riding as a passenger before losing her balance and striking a guardrail.
The crash happened around 2 p.m. on Dec. 26 on northbound I‑95 near mile marker 235, just south of W. Halifax Road. The woman was riding on the back of a 2003 Harley‑Davidson Dyna Wide Glide when she fell from the motorcycle. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The motorcycle’s operator, Ricardo Lazaro Bernal, 45, of Sanford, was not injured and pulled over immediately after the woman fell, troopers said. Neither rider was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
Bernal was arrested and booked into the Volusia County Jail on charges of driving with a revoked license resulting in death and operating a motorcycle without a motorcycle endorsement. The Florida Highway Patrol identified him as a Habitual Traffic Offender.
The crash involved no other vehicles. The Florida Highway Patrol continues to investigate.
Similar Incidents Involving Riders Falling Asleep on Motorcycles
While rare, law enforcement agencies across the U.S. have documented cases where riders or passengers fell asleep on moving motorcycles, often with serious consequences:
• 2023 – California
A man traveling on Interstate 5 reportedly nodded off while riding home from an overnight shift. He drifted across lanes before crashing into a median. He survived with injuries.
• 2021 – Texas
A passenger on a cruiser‑style motorcycle fell asleep during a long highway ride and slipped off the back of the bike. She suffered non‑fatal injuries. The driver told investigators they had been riding for several hours without stopping.
• 2019 – Georgia
A motorcyclist on a rural highway fell asleep after working a double shift, according to the sheriff’s office. The bike veered off the road and overturned. The rider survived but was hospitalized.
• International Example – Japan (2018)
Police reported a case where a long‑distance rider fell asleep during an overnight ride and collided with a guardrail. Fatigue was listed as the primary factor.
These incidents highlight how fatigue can be just as dangerous on a motorcycle as impairment or speeding, especially during long rides, warm weather, or after extended work shifts.
