PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2026 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A motorcyclist was killed Thursday night after a crash at Southern Boulevard and Caroline Drive in West Palm Beach, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. The crash happened at approximately 9:35 p.m., and the rider was pronounced dead just minutes later.
Investigators say the motorcyclist, identified as Jeferson Barrera Varela, 22, of West Palm Beach, was riding a 2000 Suzuki GSX750 westbound on Southern Boulevard at a high rate of speed when he approached the Caroline Drive intersection. At the same time, a 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander driven by Lauve Quetant, of Royal Palm Beach, was headed eastbound on Southern Boulevard and attempting to make a northbound turn onto Caroline Drive.
As Quetant’s SUV was maneuvering through the turn, Varela’s motorcycle struck the passenger side of the Outlander. The impact ejected Varela from his bike, and he came to rest on the sidewalk at the northwest corner of the intersection. The Outlander overturned onto its driver’s side and came to rest on Caroline Drive just north of Southern Boulevard. Quetant was able to get out of the vehicle and was not reported injured. Varela was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
The crash is under investigation by the PBSO Traffic Division. No charges have been filed as of Sunday afternoon.
