Man killed in motorcycle crash in Arlington

Carlos Perez Jr., 26, hit concrete barrier, thrown from motorcycle

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A man died Tuesday night after he crashed his motorcycle and hit a concrete barrier on an Arlington Expressway ramp, then fell off.

According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, 26-year-old Carlos Perez Jr. was thrown from his motorcycle around 10:30 p.m.

Perez lost control of his motorcycle, hit a concrete barrier on the eastbound side of the expressway onramp to the Southside Connector and was thrown onto a service road.

FHP blocked off parts of the road for hours while they investigated.

Carlos Perez Jr

Perez was wearing a helmet during the crash.

Friends of Perez said he was a great person, husband and father, and always had a smile on his face.

"You would be proud to have him as a son -- that type of guy," former neighbor Jim Highley said. "A fine young man. He was always smiling, coming by, wanting to know what he could do to help out."

This crash was the second time a motorcyclist was killed on the same ramp. Last June, 23-year-old Randy Glass fell off, landing on the road underneath.

A close family friend of Perez said she thinks the ramp is too dangerous and something needs to be done.

Since 2012, the Florida Highway Patrol said there were five motorcycle crashes there, including Tuesday night's.

"There were no speed signs. The lighting probably could be a little bit better," said Michael Dobbs, of Jacksonville Motorcycle Safety Training.

Dobbs is a former state trooper who now teaches motorcycle safety classes. He analyzed the crash scene for News4Jax and said the road could be a little safer.

"Put some more signs up there to slow people down, and possibly some netting or whatever they would advise to put up," Dobbs said. "If there was an extra barrier or some netting or something like that, it could have possibly saved him."

A spokeswoman with the Florida Department of Transportation said this is a terrible tragedy, but right now it does not appear that the ramp is any more dangerous than any others. She said the department is waiting for a final report from FHP before anyone makes a decision about whether or not to make changes to the road.