UPDATE (September 27, 2024): Reports have identified the motorcyclist killed in the accident as Daniel Patton. Additional details about the crash that killed Daniel Patton are unavailable except that authorities say they do not suspect alcohol.
Antrim County, MI — September 23, 2024, a motorcyclist was killed as the result of a truck accident at around 12:29 p.m. on Alden Highway.
The Antrim County Sheriff’s Department reported that the crash happened at Bailey Road, just off Highway 88 west of Mancelona.
According to officials, a 54-year-old man was on a motorcycle traveling eastbound along Alden Highway. At Bailey Road, a southbound semi-truck allegedly failed to stop for the stop sign. As a result, it crossed onto the highway, and the motorcyclist crashed into the 18-wheeler. The motorcyclist was killed in the collision. Right now, it’s unclear if charges are being filed.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
It seems quite likely this crash happened due to the truck driver making a mistake. Could this be some one-in-a-million unavoidable accident, due to something like a defect or missing signage? Sure, but things like inattentive and reckless driving are a lot more likely. But as obvious as that may seem, investigations into a truck wreck always present significant challenges. One key challenge to keep in mind is that there has to be an investigation into any actions the driver’s employer may be responsible for. Here’s why that matters.
Behind the scenes, trucking companies can create the conditions for a deadly crash long before the driver ever gets behind the wheel. For example, many companies enforce punishing schedules, pushing drivers to meet unrealistic delivery deadlines. This can pressure drivers to drive long hours, speed, make dangerous maneuvers, and rush through intersections without keeping a proper lookout. Additionally, trucking companies sometimes fail to properly vet or train their drivers. They may hire drivers with a history of reckless behavior or insufficient experience but put them on the road anyway.
Inevitably, this sort of behavior is bound to get someone hurt. And if authorities aren’t thorough enough in their investigations, all of the blame may land a single driver’s shoulders despite the trucking company being the root cause of the problem. So is that being looked into here? Will there be appropriate consequences here to ensure all wrongdoers are held accountable for their mistakes?
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