Missing Lakewood Ranch man’s body found on shoulder of Interstate 275

A man’s body was found Thursday morning in the bushes on the shoulder of Interstate 275 in Pinellas County, along with pieces of a motorcycle, according to Florida Highway Patrol.

The family of a man previously reported missing from Manatee County said it was their loved one. Hours later, FHP also confirmed the man’s identity.

Reid Butler, the father of Jimmy Butler, confirmed to the Bradenton Herald his 27-year-old son’s body was found on the shoulder of I-275 hear 54th Avenue South.

Jimmy Butler, of Lakewood Ranch, was reported missing after he did not return home on Nov. 18 from being in St. Petersburg with his girlfriend the night before. He was driving his motorcycle back to Lakewood Ranch from St. Petersburg.

His phone had last “pinged” in the area of Pinellas Bayway, U.S. 19 and 54th Avenue South, his family previously told the Bradenton Herald.

Officials do not know what caused Butler to crash but released some details about the accident on Thursday.

According to FHP, Butler was traveling southbound on I-275 approaching 54th Avenue South during the early-morning hours of Nov. 18. For an unknown reason, his motorcycle departed the roadway and entered the grass median, overturning and colliding with several trees. He was ejected from the motorcycle upon impact and suffered fatal injuries at the scene of the crash.

Just before 11 a.m. Thursday, two highway workers were picking up trash along I-275 when they found the man’s body in the bushes on the southbound shoulder just north of 54th Avenue South, FHP Sgt. Steve Gaskins said in a news release.

Pieces of the motorcycle also were found in the area. Gaskins said it appears there was a traffic crash.

This story was originally published November 29, 2018 at 12:26 PM.