A motorcyclist was seriously injured Monday evening in a crash involving a side-by-side in Pulaski County.
The crash happened around 7:45 p.m. on June 15, 2026, at the intersection of Highway 7 and Rio Road. A 2007 Harley-Davidson was overtaking a southbound 2022 Polaris side-by-side when the Polaris made a left turn. The motorcycle struck the side-by-side before traveling off the left side of the roadway, overturning, and ejecting its driver.
The 49-year-old motorcycle driver suffered serious injuries and was taken by EMS to a local hospital. The motorcycle was totaled and towed from the scene. The side-by-side sustained moderate damage and was driven from the scene.
Motorcyclists have far less protection than people riding inside enclosed vehicles. When another vehicle turns across a motorcycle’s path, the rider may have only seconds—or no meaningful opportunity at all—to avoid a collision. Here, the left turn placed the side-by-side directly in the path of a motorcycle that was attempting to pass.
Drivers preparing to turn must carefully check mirrors, blind spots, and surrounding traffic before moving across a lane. That responsibility is especially important when motorcycles are nearby because their smaller size can make them more difficult to notice. A driver should never begin a left turn without first making sure the movement can be completed safely.
The consequences of failing to account for surrounding traffic can be severe. In this crash, the motorcyclist was forced off the roadway, overturned, and was ejected. Turning across the path of an overtaking vehicle is dangerous conduct that can leave an innocent rider with no safe way out and should be punished by law.
