A severe collision occurred on August 7 in Mayville, Wisconsin, when a bicyclist was struck by the trailer of a semi-truck. According to initial reports, the crash happened at approximately 2:10 p.m. at the intersection of North Main Street and Bridge Street. Authorities say a 19-year-old Mayville woman was riding her bicycle southbound on North Main Street when the southbound semi-truck passed through the intersection, and the trailer allegedly struck her. She sustained life-threatening injuries and was airlifted by Flight for Life to a hospital for treatment. The semi-truck driver left the scene, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Hit-and-runs involving commercial vehicles are very serious. It will be important for authorities to not only locate the truck and driver involved, but also examine why they didn’t stop.
Could Distraction or Fatigue Have Been a Factor?
When a semi-truck driver fails to maintain full awareness of nearby cyclists or pedestrians, distraction or fatigue may be involved. Intersections require careful attention to all road users, particularly vulnerable ones like bicyclists. If the driver was fatigued, their ability to track surrounding movement could have been impaired, leading to delayed or missed reactions. Investigators may review the driver’s logbooks, hours-of-service compliance, and any in-cab monitoring data to see if there were signs of excessive driving hours or inattention before the collision.
Were Mechanical Issues Involved?
Although the initial reports focus on the driver’s actions, mechanical problems with the trailer or its tracking system could also play a role. A malfunction in the steering axle, suspension, or articulation point might cause the trailer to swing wider than intended or drift into adjacent lanes or paths. If the trailer’s stability or alignment was compromised due to a defect or poor maintenance, it could have contributed to the collision even if the driver attempted to maintain a safe line through the intersection. Inspecting the trailer for worn or defective parts will be essential in determining whether mechanical failure played a part.
What Evidence Should Be Examined?
To build a complete picture of what happened, investigators should collect any available dash camera or surveillance footage from nearby businesses, which could show the truck’s path and the cyclist’s position. The semi-truck’s Engine Control Module may reveal speed, braking, and steering inputs before and during the collision. A physical inspection of the trailer should check for alignment issues, worn suspension components, or defects that might affect its path. Witness statements from motorists, pedestrians, or nearby residents could also help provide valuable context.
Why a Detailed Investigation Matters
Collisions between commercial vehicles and cyclists can cause severe injuries due to the size and weight of the trucks involved. Understanding whether driver behavior, mechanical issues, or a combination of both contributed to this crash is critical to ensuring accountability. In a case where the driver left the scene, uncovering all possible contributing factors becomes even more important so that the facts are clear and those affected have answers.