This past May, a terrible motorcycle accident involving a teen and an Oklahoma sheriff's deputy resulted in the death of the young cyclist. According to news reports, the deputy made an allegedly illegal U-turn to pursue a different motorcycle that he suspected of committing a traffic violation. Reportedly, this U-turn caused the victim to collide with another automobile, resulting in his death.
The family of the 18-year-old young man killed in the motorcycle accident has filed a tort claim blaming the deputy for their son's death. The claim alleges that the deputy made an illegal U-turn, crossing the double yellow line. The victim, who was coming around a curve, was forced to swerve. The youth avoided striking the deputy's vehicle but did collide head-on with a Ford Fusion.
In an eyewitness statement, the Ford Fusion's driver tells a dramatically different story than the one told in the deputy's report. The Fusion driver says that the deputy was traveling extremely slow and may not have completed his U-turn. The deputy says the turn was completed and he was going 35 mph at the time of the crash.
The driver of the Fusion also stated that the deputy only looked at the victim and did not render aid. By contrast, the deputy claims that he tried to help the boy. Finally, the Fusion driver reported that the deputy moved his vehicle but the deputy's report mentions nothing about moving the automobile.
Other eyewitness statements also conflict with the deputy's report. The deputy claims he instructed other motorcyclists who were riding with the victim to remain on scene and speak with troopers. These other riders say that the deputy actually attempted to make them leave the scene.
If it is found that the eyewitness statements convey the truth about this tragic motorcycle accident, the family can expect to be successful in proving that negligence occurred on the deputy's part resulting in the death of their loved one.
Source: Tulsa World, "Tort claim alleges illegal U-turn by Tulsa County sheriff's deputy caused fatal motorcycle crash; eyewitness accounts conflict," Corey Jones, Aug. 19, 2017
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