Motorcyclist struck and killed by pickup truck driver

Florida Highway Patrol reported that one motorcyclist was killed in an accident on April 23. The 40-year-old Holt man was driving a 2010 BMW motorcycle in Crestview. He suffered fatal injuries after being struck by a 2000 Ford pickup truck.

The fatal crash occurred while the victim was traveling southbound in the outside lane of S.R. 85 near 8th Avenue. At the same time, a 22-year-old man from Laurel Hill was driving his pickup truck northbound on the inside lane of S.R. 85. When the pickup truck driver tried to turn left onto 8th Avenue, the front of his vehicle struck the motorcycle on its left side.

Following the crash, the motorcyclist was transported to North Okaloosa Medical Center and pronounced dead. Reports have stated that he was wearing a helmet when the accident took place. The driver of the pickup truck had a seat belt on, and he did not suffer from any injuries. Authorities say alcohol was not a factor in the collision, but criminal charges are pending.

Depending on what evidence is found during the investigation, a fatal motor vehicle collision could result in a driver being cited for traffic violations or charged for reckless driving. Regardless of whether the at-fault driver faces criminal charges, the family of a deceased victim may pursue compensation from the driver by filing a civil wrongful death claim. Because this can be a difficult time to collect evidence for a claim, many families that have recently lost a loved one in a car accident decide to get help from an attorney.

Source: nwfdailynews.com, “Holt man killed in vehicle crash,” Kari C. Barlow, April 24, 2015