Authorities are investigating a fatal crash involving a passenger bus and a motorcycle that occurred Sunday afternoon just outside Palm Beach International Airport.
According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, the collision took place as both vehicles approached the intersection of Belvedere Road and North Congress Avenue. A GMC passenger bus, traveling westbound, allegedly attempted to turn left into the airport, crossing the path of an eastbound motorcycle. The motorcyclist, 39-year-old Daniel Ducos of Boynton Beach, struck the rear fender of the bus. He was transported to St. Mary’s Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead. The crash report notes that both vehicles had a green light at the time of the incident, and Ducos was wearing a helmet.
Whenever I hear about a crash involving a motorcycle and a commercial vehicle at a busy intersection, I think about how important it is to determine whether the bus driver exercised appropriate caution before making a left turn. In my experience, these types of collisions often come down to timing and driver awareness, particularly when motorcycles are involved.
Did the Bus Driver Misjudge the Motorcycle’s Speed or Proximity?
Left-turn crashes involving motorcycles often stem from commercial drivers underestimating the speed or distance of oncoming motorcycles. Even when both parties have a green light, the vehicle turning left must yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic. Investigators should evaluate whether the driver had a clear and unobstructed view of the approaching motorcycle and whether the decision to turn left was reasonable given the circumstances.
Could Distraction or Poor Judgment Have Contributed to the Turn?
It’s also worth exploring whether the bus driver was distracted at the time of the turn—whether by onboard communication systems, route navigation, or other in-cab activity. Commercial drivers are trained to scan intersections thoroughly and anticipate the behavior of smaller, more vulnerable vehicles like motorcycles. A failure to properly judge the situation, even for a moment, can result in a serious accident.
What Evidence Should Be Reviewed to Understand the Driver’s Actions?
To assess what led to the crash, investigators should review dash camera footage from the bus, if available, and check whether the bus had any onboard monitoring systems or an ECM that recorded the driver’s speed, braking behavior, or steering input. The position of the vehicles, damage profiles, and physical evidence at the scene can help reconstruct the timeline. In addition, eyewitness accounts from nearby drivers or pedestrians could provide insight into how quickly the events unfolded.
Why Commercial Vehicle Collisions Require Thorough Review
From my experience, crashes involving commercial vehicles and motorcyclists deserve heightened scrutiny. Professional drivers operate large, heavy vehicles often in busy traffic and around smaller vehicles. Determining whether proper caution was exercised in this case is critical not just for accountability, but also providing answers to those affected by the crash.