Polk County Sheriff Press Release
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic deputies are investigating a single-motorcycle crash that occurred Sunday, July 16, 2017, around 7:38 p.m. on Old Dade City Road in Lakeland. 30-year-old Nicolas Shontz, the driver and sole occupant,
of Lakeland was transported to LRHMC and succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
Preliminary information shows, Shontz was travelling at a high rate of speed and lost control of his motorcycle, a 2009 blue Yamaha YZF-R65, while he was trying to navigate a sharp bend in the roadway. He was ejected from his motorcycle
and landed approximately 200 feet. A witness told deputies they heard the motorcycle driving down the road and saw the final portion of the crash. Shontz was wearing his helmet.
The investigation is ongoing.