Motorcyclist Killed in Crash with FedEx Truck on Elliot Rd in Tempe, AZ
Tempe, AZ — July 16, 2022, a motorcyclist died in a collision with a FedEx truck at the intersection of Kyrene and Elliot roads in Tempe.
According to reports the incident happened around 6:00 a.m. at Kyrene and Elliot. Preliminary investigation suggests a FedEx truck was traveling east on Elliot when the driver began a left turn to go north on Kyrene. As the truck turned, it hit a westbound motorcycle in the intersection.
The motorcyclist suffered fatal injuries in the crash. No other injuries were reported.
No further information is currently available.
Commentary on FedEx Truck Accident in Tempe
It sounds from reports like the truck driver failed to yield to the oncoming motorcycle. Of course, neither the truck driver nor their employer are required to agree with how police or the news say things went. Long experience in this field has taught me they're more likely to "creatively" interpret events to say something else was responsible for the crash and the victim's tragic injuries. That "something else" could be sun glare, sudden and mysterious brake failure, or even a suggestion that the motorcyclist was speeding--whatever it takes to get the company off the hot seat.
To be clear, this doesn't come from some chip on my shoulder about the transportation and logistics industry. I don't know that FedEx will argue against liability here and I don't want to put words in their mouth. However, I can say without exaggeration that in decades of working on commercial vehicle crashes I have encountered exactly one firm that admitted responsibility without a fuss, then set about making things right. The overwhelming majority of them did everything they could to put hurdles in the way and protect their assets rather than help the victim.
The details of truck crashes may vary, but it's almost universally true that victims and families should expect pushback if they seek help afterward. Preparing for that means gathering abundant clear evidence of what happened, but that can be a tall order for people struggling with injury or loss. I often recommend they enlist the help of independent investigators to round up the needed proof on their behalf. Armed with what those experts find, many people are able to hold the right parties accountable for the damage done.
