St. Petersburg motorcyclist killed in crash

ST. PETERSBURG — A 41-year-old motorcyclist was killed in a head-on crash Saturday night when an oncoming car veered over a concrete median and collided with him, authorities said.

Phillip L. Newcomb of St. Petersburg died in the 11:20 p.m. accident on 54th Avenue N just east of Park Street, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

The FHP said the other driver — Robert Cooper, 31, of Riverview — was heading west on 54th Avenue in a Pontiac Grand Prix when he went over the avenue's raised center median. He hit a signpost and veered into the eastbound lanes near 79th Street, hitting Newcomb's Yamaha motorcycle.

Newcomb, who wasn't wearing a helmet, died at the scene, the FHP said. Cooper sustained minor injuries, and his female passenger wasn't injured. The accident is under investigation.