Florida Motorcyclist Injured After Colliding with Six-Foot Alligator on Highway

Two motorcyclists were hospitalized after a dramatic and highly unusual collision with a six-foot alligator on a Florida highway this past weekend. The incident unfolded around 6:00 p.m. Saturday evening on Interstate 4 in Volusia County, leaving both riders injured and motorists shocked by the rare encounter.

Cameron Gilmore, aged 67, and Brandi Gross, aged 25, were traveling with a group of fellow bikers when the accident occurred. According to Gilmore, he initially spotted what appeared to be a "big blob" in the middle of the roadway. “I thought it was a semi-tire that came off the tread or something,” he recalled, only to realize moments later that he was barreling toward a large alligator sprawled across the highway.

The encounter turned perilous as Gilmore struck the animal, losing control of his motorcycle. “I said, ‘Uh, help me, Jesus’, and I just kept flipping. I’m like, when is this going to stop? And then I started sliding, and I’m like, when is this gonna stop? Just sliding and sliding, and then it went off the road into the grass, and, um, couldn’t move much,” he recounted. Gilmore suffered a broken foot and toes in the crash, rendering him unable to walk immediately after the incident.

Riding closely behind, Gross also collided with the alligator before she could react to the chaotic scene. “I just seen something, and like, once I realized what it was, it was just too late,” she explained. “I was like, 'oh crap, you know, like,' and it just, the impact happened. I flipped over, and I just wasn't expecting a gator to be in the middle of the road right there.” Gross endured a concussion and a cracked bone on the side of her wrist as a result of the accident.

Authorities are still investigating the crash, and the extent of the alligator’s injuries is unknown. Wildlife officials have been notified, although there were no immediate reports regarding the animal's fate following the collision. The bizarre nature of the crash has left the community abuzz, serving as a reminder of the unpredictable hazards that can arise on Florida’s roads.

Despite their injuries, both motorcyclists have managed to keep up their spirits. “They’re calling me Gator Gilmore instead of Florida man,” joked Gilmore. He admitted that the nickname “Florida man” is also sticking with him after the tale of their brush with wildlife made the rounds both locally and online.

The crash comes amid several recent unusual reptile sightings and incidents across Florida, further highlighting the intersection between human activity and the state’s diverse wildlife. As investigations continue, officials urge motorists to remain vigilant—especially in areas where wildlife crossings are common and unexpected dangers may lie ahead.