According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 4,985 motorcyclists lost their lives on U.S. roadways in 2018. Because motorcycles are less crash-worthy than other types of motor vehicles, motorcyclists and their passengers are more than 25% more likely to be seriously injured or killed if they get into an accident. As such, it is always advised that drivers of motorcycles wear protective gear when on the road.
ABC 15 in Phoenix reports that a teen motorcyclist was killed in a two-vehicle crash on Wednesday, April 8th, near the intersection of 48th Avenue and Encanto Boulevard.
A spokesperson for the Phoenix Police Department said that the crash happened at approximately 4:40 p.m. when a 17-year-old male motorcyclist that was heading westbound on Encanto collided with a pickup truck that was making a turn.
Emergency crews, including paramedics from the Phoenix Fire Department, arrived at the scene of the crash. Sadly, the teen motorcyclist did not survive the crash and was declared the motorcyclist dead at the scene. Authorities have not said whether the victim was wearing a helmet or other protective gear at the time.
The victim’s identity has not been released pending notification of family members.
The driver of the pickup truck stayed at the scene of the accident and was reportedly fully cooperating with the police. So far, investigators do not believe that impairment by drugs or alcohol played any role in the fatal crash.
The accident is still currently under investigation and no charges have been filed yet.
