Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.)

Jabez Mitchem (Driver-uninjured)
DOB: 02/25/1987
Address: 3400 Meldrum Street, Safety Harbor
Vehicle: 2005 Toyota Camry

Joshua Melchings (Motorcycle Driver-Injured)
DOB: 03/30/1989
Address: 4646 Catherine Street, New Port Richey
Motorcycle: 2008 Kawaski Vulcan

What:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team are investigating a serious vehicle versus motorcycle crash in Safety Harbor.

When:
The crash occurred at about 12:31 p.m. on Tuesday, October 2, 2018.

Where:
The crash occurred at the intersection of Martin Luther King Street North and 9^th Avenue North.

Why/How:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team are investigating a serious vehicle versus motorcycle crash in Safety Harbor.

According to investigators, 31 year-old Jabez Mitchem was driving a 2005 Toyota Camry and was stopped at a stop sign at the intersection of 9^th Avenue North and MLK Street North. The operator of the 2008 Kawasaki motorcycle, 29 year-old Joshua Melching, was traveling eastbound on MLK Street North.  

Deputies say as Melchings approached 9^th Avenue North, Mitchem failed to yield and proceeded southbound across MLK Street North striking the left side of the 2008 Kawasaki motorcycle which resulted in Melchings being ejected.

Melchings sustained serious injuries to his left leg and was transported by ambulance to Bayfront Medical Center.

Neither speed nor impairment appear to be factors in the crash.

The investigation continues.