PALM CITY — A 64-year-old motorcyclist died after a Toyota Tundra collided with his bike Thursday on Martin Downs Boulevard near the Florida’s Turnpike entrance, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Thomas M. Niebauer, of Palm City, was driving a 2005 Suzuki east on County Road 714 about 6:15 p.m. as Theresa M. Finnegan, 47, of Port St. Lucie, drove a 2008 Toyota Tundra west. (more…)

FORT PIERCE — A trauma surgeon and nurse on their way to work at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center & Heart Institute on Saturday became first responders at an accident scene.

Dr. Alex Funicello, who was returning from a Hutchinson Island condo to finish rounds at Lawnwood, found the base of South Bridge blocked with police cars and accident tape.

Raymond Chew, 47, lay in the intersection of Seaway and Indian River drives, his motorcycle nearby and his helmet loose but still on. No emergency medical crews had arrived when Funicello arrived.

So, the trauma surgeon went to work, assessing the patient.
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ST. LUCIE COUNTY — A man in his mid 50s was taken to a local hospital Wednesday morning with minor injuries following a motorcycle crash, according to the St. Lucie County Fire District.

Fire District crews were called 2:43 a.m. to the incident in the 6500 block of Glades Cut-Off Road, the Fire District stated.

The motorcycle driver told rescue officials he’d swerved to avoid a pick-up truck and “put the motorcycle down,” Fire District spokeswoman Catherine Chaney said.

It wasn’t immediately clear whether the man, who was taken to a local hospital, wore a helmet.
Will Greenlee, TCPalm.com

Services for a Martin County firefighter-paramedic who was killed early Sunday when his motorcycle and a car collided west of Boynton Beach will be held Thursday, according to Martin County Fire Rescue.

James Reeder, 42, of Stuart worked for Martin County Fire Rescue since 2000 and was promoted to firefighter paramedic in 2002.

During his career, he worked on the Technical Extrication Rescue Team (TERT) and water Rescue Team / Dive Team. (more…)

Martin County firefighter paramedic James Reeder, right, helps move a Murray Middle School student in February 2008 after a pickup hit the rear of a school bus.

A Martin County firefighter-paramedic was killed early this morning when his motorcycle and a car collided at the intersection of Old Boynton Road and Military Trail west of Boynton Beach.

James Reeder, 42, of Stuart was driving north on Military Trail at 6:30 a.m. when Jeffrey Havens, of Margate, was attempting to make a right turn onto Military Trail from Old Boynton Road.

Reeder was wearing a motorcycle helmet. He was taken to Delray Medical Center, where he died. Havens suffered minor injuries.

Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputies ask anyone with information about the accident to call (561) 688-3688.

STUART — The party hearty crowd at local bars is going to have to tone down the sound as a result of stricter new noise rules set to go into effect this weekend.

The Martin County Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to ban noise from traveling more than 150 feet beyond an entertainment venue’s property line during the day and evening.

The new rules will ban noise from crossing an entertainment venue’s property line between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. (more…)

PORT ST. LUCIE — A 29-year-old Port St. Lucie man died after crashing his motorcycle this morning, police said.

At about 11 a.m., the man and a friend were riding their motorcycles along the 1600 block of Sandia Drive when one of the drivers lost control and fell off the bike, Port St. Lucie Police spokesman Thomas Nichols said.

The man was not wearing a helmet and died at the scene, Nichols said.

Police are not releasing the man’s name until his family is notified.