Motorcyclist dead, passenger hurt after Thomas Drive crash caused by Morrison, FHP says
PANAMA CITY, FL, (August 17, 2025) - A motorcyclist was killed on Aug. 17 after being rear-ended by a suspected impaired driver in Panama City, according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).
A motorcyclist lost his life on Aug. 17 after being rear-ended by a suspected impaired driver in Panama City. Alexander Morrison now faces charges in the crash.
Troopers said the crash happened on Thomas Drive when an SUV driven by Alexander Morrison allegedly failed to slow down and struck the motorcycle. The impact caused the bike to overturn, ejecting both the driver and the passenger.
The motorcyclist, a 64-year-old man from Panama City Beach, was pronounced dead at the scene. His passenger, a 28-year-old woman from Fort Walton Beach, suffered serious injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital.
Morrison continued driving along Thomas Drive before stopping at Joan Avenue. He was taken into custody and charged with DUI manslaughter, DUI with serious bodily injury, leaving the scene resulting in death, and leaving the scene resulting in serious injury.
DUI CRASH INVESTIGATION
Based on preliminary police reports, liability on the part of Mr. Morrison appears to be clear in this crash, as he was allegedly driving under the influence, one of the most dangerous and reckless things that a driver can do.
According to the National Safety Council, 10 percent of all fatal automobile accidents are caused by drivers operating vehicles under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other medications. These accidents are the second-leading cause of automobile fatalities in this country. When a driver is under the influence, they can suffer from a lack of judgment, impaired vision, reduced coordination, and delayed reaction time.
Candice Bond, an experienced DUI accident attorney, was interviewed and provided her thoughts on such incidents.
"Separate from criminal charges, a victim's family may be entitled to compensation through a civil lawsuit against the responsible party, said Candice Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal. "In addition to the diligent work of law enforcement, an attorney can re-interview important witnesses, analyze any surveillance video from the scene of the crash, and obtain phone and text records of the liable party. Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a family during this difficult time, protecting their legal rights while ensuring that a drunk driver is held accountable for their reckless actions.”
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIMS
The family members of the motorcyclist killed in this accident may be entitled to a wrongful death claim for medical and funeral expenses, the loss of love and companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma.
“An incident is considered a wrongful death when either a person or entity commits a wrongful or negligent act resulting in a person's death,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. “When vehicle accident fatalities result from unsafe driving, aggressive or distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence, family members are usually left with the option to pursue a civil action against the responsible motorist.”
In addition, the passenger injured may have the right to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. Bond noted that the stress and worry following a serious injury can be overwhelming, disrupting all aspects of life, including family, work, finances, and overall quality of life.
If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one due to a drunk driver, national legal analyst Candice Bond offers free consultations to guide you.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).