5 killed during Bike Week in Florida

Five people died in motorcycle-related crashes over the weekend in the opening days of Bike Week, one of the nation's largest annual biker gatherings, authorities said Monday.

The Florida Highway Patrol will officially determine whether the deaths were related to Bike Week after the event concludes next Sunday, agency spokeswoman Kim Miller said.

Two people died Sunday night when their motorcycle was hit by a truck as they tried to merge onto a highway.

Also that day, a biker traveling the wrong way along U.S. 1 in New Smyrna Beach collided with two other motorcyclists, who were hospitalized, the patrol said.

A man died Saturday after missing a curve while speeding and being ejected into a ditch, the patrol said. Earlier that day, a woman was killed when she stepped in front of two motorcycles, whose drivers were injured.

Eight people died in motorcycle-related crashes during the 10-day event last year. In 2006, 20 people died — the highest toll ever.