According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, a driver is facing criminal charges after a head-on collision that killed a motorcyclist in Union County. Twenty-five-year-old John Paul Gupton of Maynardville was riding north on a Kawasaki motorcycle along the Maynardville Highway late on a Sunday night. A southbound pickup truck then swerved into oncoming traffic and hit him. The victim was wearing a helmet. The pickup driver, Kenneth Lee Heatherly, told the investigating trooper that he swerved into the northbound lanes in order to avoid another car that had stopped to make a left-hand turn. Heatherly and his passenger were not injured, and they were both wearing seatbelts.
How Does This Fatal Motorcycle Accident Relate to Motorcycle Safety?
The victim was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, but there was not much that he could have done to avoid the deadly collision. However, motorcyclists should always:
- Stay aware of their surroundings: Motorcyclists should constantly be checking their side mirrors for any suspicious activity from neighboring vehicles. This could help avoid a sudden collision.
- Wear all other appropriate safety gear: Besides wearing a helmet, motorcyclists should wear long pants, appropriate shoes or boots, and any relevant eye gear. The more that he or she is protected, the better chance he or she will have of avoiding a serious injury or fatality.
- Ensure that all safety equipment on the motorcycle is operating correctly: Before getting on your bike, check your wheels, side mirrors and handlebars for any defects are outstanding faults or problems.
Our personal injury attorneys at the law office of Stanley A. Davis can assist you if you have been seriously injured in a motorcycle or other vehicle accident. Contact us today for a free consultation so we can get the compensation that you deserve.