Jefferson County, MO — May 17, 2025, One person was killed following a car accident that occurred at around 10:33 P.M. on Highway 61.
An investigation is underway following a car accident that left one person dead during the evening hours of May 17th. According to official reports, a 22-year-old man was operating a Honda motorcycle on Highway 61 in the southbound lanes at a high rate of speed and approaching the intersection with Herky Horine Road. As it approached, a Buick Encore which was stopped at the intersection in the eastbound lanes of Herky Horine, failed to see the motorcycle and turned into the path of the Honda, resulting in a collision.
When first responders arrived on the scene, they found that the Honda driver had sustained fatal injuries and they were transported pronounced deceased. At this time there has been no further information released from the accident, including the identity of the deceased, however this remains an ongoing investigation and more details may be released by authorities in the future.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
After a crash like this, most people want answers—and quickly. But when it comes to motorcycle crashes, especially those involving a vehicle turning across traffic, the answers aren’t always as simple as they first appear. In my experience, understanding what happened means asking the right questions—questions that look beyond surface-level assumptions and get to the heart of what went wrong.
First, did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?
Intersections are among the most common places for motorcycle crashes, especially when a turning vehicle fails to yield. The key question here is whether the driver of the Buick Encore had a clear, unobstructed view of oncoming traffic—and whether the roadway was designed to make that decision easier or more difficult. Was the sun low in the sky, blinding the driver? Were there trees, signs, or a curve that limited visibility? And how quickly was the motorcycle actually approaching? Estimating speed—especially for smaller vehicles like motorcycles—can be tricky and is often misjudged. A thorough investigation should account for all of these factors, not just who turned or how fast someone was going.
Second, has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused or worsened the crash?
It’s easy to assume human error is to blame, but mechanical issues can play a silent and dangerous role. Did the motorcycle’s brakes function properly? Was the headlight on and working, making the bike visible in low light? And what about the Buick—did the turn signal operate as intended, or did something in the steering or electronics system fail? These are critical questions that can only be answered through a full inspection of both vehicles. Overlooking this step means possibly missing a defect that could be affecting other drivers on the road right now.
Third, has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
Both the Buick Encore and possibly the motorcycle (depending on the model) could contain onboard data systems that store information such as speed, throttle position, brake usage, and steering angle. This kind of data is essential in reconstructing the exact sequence of events. For example, was the motorcycle decelerating as it approached the intersection? Did the Encore accelerate suddenly into the turn? These answers are stored in the vehicle’s memory, but only if someone acts quickly to download and preserve the data before it’s lost or overwritten.
Motorcycle crashes often get explained away as a combination of speed and visibility—but that kind of thinking oversimplifies a complex situation. Only by taking a close look at the road, the vehicles, and the electronic data can we understand what truly happened—and how to keep something like this from happening again.
Key Takeaways:
- Investigators should assess intersection visibility, roadway design, and lighting to understand whether the Buick driver could see the motorcycle.
- Mechanical inspections of both the motorcycle and the Buick Encore are necessary to rule out equipment failures.
- Onboard data, particularly from the Encore, could clarify vehicle movements and timing—and should be collected quickly before it’s lost.
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