A Sanford man is in custody after his passenger died Friday afternoon when she fell from his motorcycle and struck a guardrail on Interstate 95, according to a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) update.

The incident occurred at approximately 2:07 p.m. in the northbound lanes of I-95 near mile marker 235.

Investigators report that a 2003 Harley-Davidson Dyna Wide Glide was traveling north in the inside lane when the passenger, a 34-year-old woman from Sanford, is believed to have fallen asleep. She fell from the motorcycle and struck a guardrail, resulting in her being pronounced deceased at the scene.

The rider, identified as 45-year-old Ricardo Bernal of Sanford, noticed the fall and brought the motorcycle to a controlled stop on the inside shoulder. Bernal was not injured in the incident.

Following the initial investigation, Bernal was arrested and booked into the Volusia County Jail. He faces charges of:

• Driving with a revoked license as a habitual traffic offender resulting in death.
• Driving without a motorcycle endorsement.

Northbound traffic on I-95 was heavily impacted Friday, with roadblocks at mile marker 235 forcing diversions at U.S. Highway 1. FHP Homicide Investigator Corporal Jateff is continuing to lead the investigation into the crash.