Just after 3:30pm on Monday, June 2nd, a motorcycle collision claimed a life on US 24 at Waterloo Road in Lafayette County. As a 2018 Harley Davidson motorcycle was traveling westbound on the highway, a 2022 Ford F 250 was attempting to cross over the highway and entered into the motorcycles’ immediate path. As a result, the motorcycle struck the Ford truck. The driver of the motorcycle was taken to the hospital with life threatening injuries and succumb to those injuries the following day.
Accidents like this highlight the vulnerability of motorcyclists on our roads. Despite advances in vehicle safety, motorcycles remain at greater risk due to their exposure and lack of protective barriers. It’s a stark reminder for all drivers to stay vigilant, especially at intersections and when crossing highways, to help prevent collisions that can have devastating consequences.
The crash is also an unfortunate reminder of the attention that must be paid to the road while driving. It goes to show how just one split-second decision—rolling through a stop sign, not fully yielding to traffic, etc. can alter numerous lives forever. In the state of Missouri, Careless and Imprudent Driving is taken very seriously as to ensure safety for everyone on the roads, and violators are hit with serious consequences, including hefty fines and jail time. Ultimately, tragedies like this emphasize the critical need for every driver to respect right-of-way laws and remain fully alert behind the wheel. When that responsibility is ignored, the consequences can be both immediate and irreversible.