A Motorcyclist Dies In A Rear-End Accident With A Tow Truck North Of El Dorado
Summer is prime time for motorcyclists to enjoy the freedom of the roadway. However, due to the lack of protection in comparison with cars, motorcycles are far from crashworthy.
Sgt David Rhodes with the Houston Police Department’s Vehicular Crimes Division told KHOU reporter Ciara Rouge that Houston Police Dispatch received a call about a fatality accident north of El Dorado in the 15900 Block of the Gulf Freeway.
Officials say that the accident happened on Tuesday, July 14th, at approximately 9:28 p.m.
According to eyewitnesses, the 49-year-old male rider of an orange Icebear PMZ motorcycle was swerving in and out of the northbound freeway lanes. The motorcyclist swerved and then crashed into the rear end of a flatbed tow truck that was removing a stalled motorist from the right shoulder of the highway.
The force of the impact ejected the motorcyclist from his bike and onto the pavement. Houston Police officers responding to the crash pronounced the unidentified motorcyclist dead at the scene of the crash. His identity has not been released pending notification of family members.
The driver of the tow truck was not injured in the accident. No other injuries were reported.
The Gulf Freeway was shut down for several hours while Vehicle Crimes Division personnel investigated the fatal crash. Officials did not say whether the motorcyclist was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
Sgt. Rhodes said that so far, investigators believe the motorcyclist was at fault, however, the incident is still under investigation at this time.