A collision between a bicyclist and a cement truck at the intersection of Main Street and Calhoun Street in Columbia resulted in the death of 31-year-old Javon Hardy on the afternoon of May 7. Authorities say the cement truck was turning onto Calhoun Street with a green light when Hardy, who had been riding east on the sidewalk, entered the intersection and was struck. He later died at the hospital.
Any time a crash like this involves a large commercial vehicle and a vulnerable road user like a bicyclist, I find myself thinking about how complicated these scenarios can be and how important it is not to jump to conclusions before the facts are in.
Understanding the Actions of the Cement Truck and the Cyclist
At a busy intersection like Main and Calhoun, it’s essential to look at who entered the intersection when, and under what conditions. A green light gives the cement truck the right-of-way, but that doesn’t automatically mean the driver had no duty to watch for other roadway users, especially in an urban environment where pedestrians and cyclists are often nearby.
Investigators will need to determine where the cyclist was riding before the turn, whether he was visible to the driver, and whether the truck had any chance to stop or adjust. They’ll also need to examine whether the cyclist attempted to cross during the truck’s turn or if both vehicles were moving into Calhoun simultaneously.
Key Evidence That Could Help Reconstruct the Collision
In serious crashes like this, video surveillance from traffic cameras or nearby businesses can play a crucial role in establishing the timing and movement of both parties. Investigators should also review the truck's dash camera footage, along with any GPS or telematics data that might reveal the vehicle's speed and steering inputs.
Scene evidence, like tire marks, scrape patterns, or debris locations, can help clarify the point of impact. Additionally, interviewing any witnesses who saw the collision unfold can shed light on whether either party had time to take evasive action.
Why Thorough Investigation Is So Important in Commercial Vehicle Crashes
From what I’ve seen in handling commercial vehicle injury cases, turning movements involving large trucks in downtown environments are one of the most dangerous scenarios for cyclists and pedestrians. These vehicles have large blind spots, wide turn radiuses, and limited maneuverability. Whether or not the truck driver was fully aware of the bike’s presence will be a central question.
But understanding what happened isn’t just about assigning blame—it’s about making sense of a complex situation and learning whether anything could or should have been done differently. Whatever the issue may be that led to this accident, only a detailed investigation can uncover the truth.