FHP identifies Eustis man who drove Mercedes-Benz to his death off Sunshine Skyway Bridge fishing pier
MANATEE -- The man who drove a 2012 red Mercedes-Benz convertible down the south Skyway Fishing Pier before crashing through a concrete barrier Wednesday and into Tampa Bay has been identified.
The body of 52-year-old Richard K. McCrocklin of Eustis was still in the vehicle when it was recovered from the water, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
An FHP report indicates McCrocklin was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.
The "crash involves a fatality so it will be under investigation for next 60 to 90 days minimum," FHP Lt. Greg Bueno emailed.
A post-mortem toxicology will be completed by the Medical Examiner's Office and entered into official investigative report once completed.
The pier was packed with first responders after the first 911 call from a witness about the crash came in at 2:08 p.m. Wednesday. It was soon followed by other calls, according to the FHP.
Agencies responding to the scene included the North River Fire District, the U.S. Coast Guard, paramedics and the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
Before officials blocked off the area with yellow crime-scene tape, more than two dozen people stood at the end of the pier where the vehicle crashed through the barrier. Some stood beside first responders, peering down at the water.
FHP trooper Kenn Watson confirmed one fatality to the Herald before McCrocklin's name was released by officials.
According to FHP public affairs officer Sgt. Steve Gaskins, the area of the bay where the car plunged in is in Hillsborough County. Troop C traffic homicide units are investigating.
Paul Robicheau, 61, was fishing at the pier with a friend when he said a "smartly dressed" McCrocklin parked the Mercedes in front of Robicheau's 1990 Lincoln Mark VII LSC.
The driver got out of his car to smoke a cigarette, the Parrish resident said.
"He walked over to the wall. Didn't pay no attention," Robicheau recalled.
Robicheau said McCrocklin then drove back nearly to the fishing pier gate, turned around and sped almost 100 mph before striking the pier wall.
"Unbelievable. ... guy was clean, sharp, nice dressed, beautiful dressed, clean," he said. "Unbelievable, unbelievable."
Amaris Castillo, law enforcement/island reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7051. Follow her on Twitter@AmarisCastillo.
This story was originally published December 24, 2015 at 3:47 PM with the headline "FHP identifies Eustis man who drove Mercedes-Benz to his death off Sunshine Skyway Bridge fishing pier ."