Preston Nascimento arrested in Plant City motorcycle accident, FHP says
FHP searches for second driver after high-speed weaving leads to serious injuries on Interstate 4
A motorcyclist was seriously injured when a reckless driver clipped their bike on Interstate 4 in Plant City, Florida, on Saturday, April 4, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Preston Nascimento, 22, of Apopka, was arrested at the scene and charged with reckless driving with serious bodily injury, a third-degree felony. Nascimento was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail and later released on bond.
A state trooper observed his red Kia Seltos and a silver Toyota Camry weaving through traffic at speeds near 100 mph. When the Kia attempted to rapidly change from the outside to the center lane, Nascimento could not stop in time and struck the motorcycle.
The collision sent the rider tumbling down the highway shoulder. The victim was taken to a local hospital with severe lacerations, bruises and suspected broken bones.
Troopers are still searching for the driver of the Toyota. Anyone with information is asked to contact the highway patrol.
Why did the Kia strike the motorcycle on Interstate 4?
While the Florida Highway Patrol continues its search for the second driver, investigators are examining the sequence of lane changes that led to the collision. In motorcycle accidents such as this, crash reconstructionists often evaluate how high-speed maneuvers reduce a driver's reaction time. National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal, said, "What most people miss is that a driver's brain doesn't always register a motorcycle as a threat. It's called target fixation, where the driver looks at the narrow bike but fails to adjust their path in time."
According to the Florida Department of Transportation, the state recorded 8,696 motorcycle crashes and 7,506 injuries in 2025.
How do criminal charges affect the victim's civil case?
The felony reckless driving charge against the driver establishes a strong foundation for civil liability, though the victim must still handle the claims process independently of the criminal courts. National Legal Analyst Stefano Formica, Of Bond Legal, said, "The recovery after a motorcycle crash is often a long road filled with questions and pain. Remember that a bike only has two contact patches the size of credit cards, so there's very little room for error."
For the injured rider, the physical and financial toll of a high-speed collision can be overwhelming, especially when multiple at-fault parties are involved. Individuals injured due to another party's negligence may be entitled to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Florida personal injury framework
Florida follows a modified comparative fault (51% bar) system, effective 2023. The statute of limitations was reduced from 4 years to 2 years in 2023.
Damages include economic losses (medical expenses, lost wages) and non-economic losses (pain, suffering). Florida's PIP no-fault insurance covers initial medical costs up to $10,000 regardless of fault.