Florida

South Florida Couple Killed After Motorcycle Crash From Blown Tire on U.S. 27

What to Know

  • Friends and family say the couple loved to ride their motorcycle together.

Authorities say a Florida couple was riding a motorcycle on U.S. 27 when one of the motorcycle's tires blew, causing a crash that killed them both.

A Florida Highway Patrol crash report says 55-year-old Stephen Gardella and his passenger, 57-year-old Diana Mowatt, were thrown off the bike and into traffic.

Erin Batista says she was Mowatt's best friend. She tells the Sun Sentinel that the Saturday crash near Weston happened just after Batista and her husband had gone to dinner with the Gardella and Mowatt.

Batista says Gardella and Mowatt had been together for more than 10 years and the two lived for and completed each other. Friends and family say the couple loved to ride their motorcycle together.

An investigation is ongoing. Batista says funeral arrangements are being made.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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