Frederick Fox III Killed in Atascocita, TX Motorcycle Accident
UPDATE (June 14, 2022): The motorcycle rider killed in this accident has been identified as 30-year-old Frederick Fox III.
Later investigative reports suggest Fox had a green light as he traveled west through the Will Clayton/June Forest intersection. The minivan driver, waiting at the eastbound signal with a yellow turn arrow, reportedly failed to yield to the approaching bike and turned into its path.
Fox was unable to avoid the van and crashed into its back-right quarter. He was ejected and suffered fatal injuries.
Investigators later learned the minivan driver may have been under the influence of an unspecified narcotic.
Atascocita, TX -- May 7, 2022, a motorcyclist died after crashing into a minivan on Will Clayton Parkway in Atascocita.
Authorities say the incident happened around 7:15 p.m. on Will Clayton Parkway at June Forest Drive. Investigators say the motorcyclist may have run a red light on westbound Will Clayton, causing his Kawasaki bike to crash with a turning Toyota Sienna minivan in the intersection.
The rider suffered fatal injuries in the collision. The minivan's occupants were unhurt.
No further information is currently available.
Commentary on Frederick Fox Accident on Will Clayton Pkwy in Atascocita
UPDATE (June 14, 2022): Later reports seem to have vindicated the motorcyclist after the news first said he ran a red light. I'm relieved to see the record set straight and his name cleared, though obviously I'm troubled to learn that the other person in this wreck was allegedly on drugs.
Nevertheless, closer scrutiny was obviously needed to make sure the real story was learned. If investigators had simply trusted the "gut instincts" of those at the scene right after the crash, the wrong person might have taken the blame indefinitely. That's why I'm so adamant about careful and thorough investigation--rarely more so than when a motorcycle is involved.
ORIGINAL: There isn't much information about what happened here, but it's important to make sure experienced professionals handle the investigation. Unfortunately certain biases against motorcyclists can lead some folks to blame them even in situations where they didn't do anything wrong. I see in the crash above that the rider may have run a red light, but it's not clear if police actually know that or if they just immediately decided to point fingers.
Many folks tend to assume that motorcyclists are all reckless daredevils. While plenty of those riders exist, many others who travel safely and with care are still blamed for crashes where the evidence would actually show that they were the victims. That's why being thorough and letting the facts speak for themselves is crucial after an accident like this. The victim's loved ones at least deserve to know they're getting the full story.
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