A 17-year-old from Dayton lost his life Tuesday evening in a crash involving a semi-truck and a motorcycle in Franklin, Ohio. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the collision occurred as the driver of a 1995 Peterbilt semi exited northbound I-75 and attempted to enter State Route 123. During the turn, the semi allegedly collided with a 2006 Suzuki motorcycle in the intersection. Both vehicles overturned and came to rest in the median. The teenager was transported to Atrium Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries. The truck driver was also hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. OSHP is continuing to investigate the crash.
In this type of crash, a lot of focus will be placed on who had the right-of-way at the time. However, a full investigation will be necessary to understand exactly what happened and why.
Who Had the Right-of-Way?
With any crash involving a semi-truck and a motorcycle, it’s critical to determine who had the right-of-way, whether either driver failed to yield, and how the vehicles came to be in the same space at the same time. In this case, investigators will likely need to determine whether the motorcyclist was already in the intersection when the semi began its turn, and whether the truck driver could see the smaller vehicle.
What Kinds of Evidence Should Be Reviewed?
A thorough investigation will need to examine the truck’s engine control module (ECM) to retrieve information about speed, braking, and steering inputs before the crash. Investigators should also obtain traffic camera footage or nearby surveillance video, analyze physical evidence from the scene such as tire marks and debris, and speak with any available witnesses. All of this can help clarify how the collision occurred and whether it could have been avoided.
Why These Answers Are So Important
When a crash involving a commercial vehicle results in a death, a clear and detailed investigation is the best way to understand what led to the collision. Reviewing all available evidence helps identify contributing factors. This process provides a clear understanding of how and why the crash occurred.