Basic Facts

Crash date: September 16, 2026

Crash location: I-44 at Geyer St., St. Louis County, MO

People involved:

  • Minor, 17
  • Unidentified Truck Driver

Do authorities suspect alcohol played a role in this crash?: Unknown

Are there possible charges or citations?: Unknown

Do authorities suspect a product defect caused the crash?: Unknown

Accident Report

September 16, 2026, a teenager was killed after an 18-wheeler versus motorcycle accident at 9:00 p.m. on I-44.

Preliminary information about the accident says that it happened along the eastbound lanes of the interstate near South Geyer Road, south of Kirkwood outside of St. Louis.

According to current reports, a 17-year-old was on a motorcycle going along eastbound I-44. While doing so, authorities believe the bike overturned as the rider tried to avoid a collision. Authorities say that minutes later, an 18-wheeler struck the rider in the roadway.

Due to the accident, the teen motorcyclist reportedly sustained fatal injuries. At this time, additional details about the accident remain under investigation.

How Did This Accident Occur?

I want to be clear up front that I don’t know the answer to this question anymore than anyone else reading the news. However, I have concerns about how people might try to answer this questions—including the authorities. Let me explain why.

A common challenge I have to account for in my line of work is people’s biases. There are types of drivers and kinds of accidents where people are just more prone to jumping to conclusions and ignoring evidence that might seem unimportant at first. One example would be young, inexperienced drivers. Since they’re statistically more likely to make mistakes, authorities sometimes enter investigations already ready to blame teen drivers before they’ve looked at the evidence.

Similarly, motorcyclists also get a bad rap. Lots of people automatically assume motorcyclists are reckless just because that’s how they see motorcyclists in their head. Then, when it comes time to give them a fair investigation, that bias can cause blind spots that allow important details to slip through the cracks.

So, when I read about this crash, my immediate concern is about who will handle the investigations. Also, how will they assure the victim’s family that investigations will focus on the evidence and not be tainted by any unfair bias? This is why it’s important for families to follow up with authorities and gauge the responses they get. If it seems like authorities are taking things seriously and being thorough, that’s good. But if it seems like authorities aren’t addressing the family’s doubts, or if details aren’t adding up, that may be a sign that the crash would be better off in the hands of independent professionals who can provide an unbiased view of what really happened.

If anyone has thoughts or observations to share, leave a comment below.

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