Police identify motorcyclist, passenger who died in Clearwater crash

CLEARWATER — Police identified the motorcyclist and passenger who crashed on Montclair Road Thursday night. Both died.

Daniel B. Rivers, 34, of 1401 Rose St. in Clearwater was heading west on his 2004 Suzuki motorcycle at a high speed when he lost control at a curve near the 1800 block of Montclair Road, said Clearwater police spokeswoman Elizabeth Watts.

Both Rivers and his passenger, 32-year-old Starr Knotek, of 1530 Erin Lane in Clearwater were thrown from the bike.

Police said Knotek died at the scene, and Rivers was taken to Mease Dunedin Hospital, where he died.

In addition to high speed, alcohol is being investigated as a contributing factor in the crash, police said.

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