Scotty Williams Killed in Harris County, TX Motorcycle Accident on Aldine Westfield Rd
UPDATE (August 9, 2022): Sources have identified the victim of this accident as 39-year-old Scotty Williams.
Harris County, TX — July 28, 2022, a motorcyclist died in a collision with a tractor-trailer on Aldine Westfield Road in north Harris County.
According to reports the incident happened around noon on the 15600 block of Aldine Westfield, near Greens Road and Bush Intercontinental Airport. Preliminary investigation suggests a Kawasaki motorcycle was traveling north on the roadway near a construction zone that limited traffic to one lane.
The rider reportedly tried to pass a Mack dump truck on the right as the truck driver started to turn from the active traffic lane into the construction zone. The motorcycle struck the truck and the rider was ejected, then landed underneath the truck and was run over.
The rider, reportedly not wearing a helmet, was fatally injured in the accident.
The investigation continues. No further information is available at this time.
Commentary on Scotty Williams Accident in Harris County
UPDATE (August 9, 2022): New information was released by investigators about the circumstances of the crash. We have incorporated the new information into our narrative above.
Based on that new information it appears the motorcyclist is taking a lot of the heat for this accident by trying to pass the truck while it turned. However, I think it's best to remember that preliminary reports don't always account for all the factors of a collision and focus instead on the more obvious--neglecting subtler but still-important details that could change the story.
Right now it seems to me there are still quite a few lingering questions to consider. How fast were both vehicles traveling on the road? Did the dump truck driver signal his intent to turn into the construction site? If so, how long was his signal active before he turned? Clearly the rider was aware of the truck if he tried to pass it, but did the trucker know the motorcycle was near him? Did he check his mirrors and surroundings before starting his turn? Could he not hear the bike? I know dump trucks are bigger and louder, but motorbikes--especially those right next to someone--are hardly invisible or inaudible.
I'm not trying to point undue fingers at the dump truck driver here. Things may have shaken out exactly as they're described, and no one's saying motorcyclists can't make mistakes. I just think sometimes people are little too quick to point fingers their way when more thorough investigations might tell another story. Might that be the case here as well?
ORIGINAL: There isn't a lot of clear information yet about how exactly this crash happened or what caused it. Since so many details are still missing, it's best not to try and fill in the blanks with speculation.
Because only clear facts should tell the story, police still need to look into many possible elements including:
- Mistakes by the drivers like distraction, speeding, or failure to yield;
- Problems or defects in the vehicles involved;
- Road conditions and design;
- Missing or inappropriate signage;
- Visibility, lighting and sightlines;
- Inclement weather; and
- Traffic patterns in the area.
That's just a handful of possibilities that must be considered while learning the whole story, and until more dots are connected it's best not to assume what picture they'll make. Of course, even a "by-the-book" police investigation may not fully explain things by the time it's over.
After a major accident--particularly one involving a commercial truck or a motorcycle, let alone both at once--I suggest an independent investigation to better ensure the whole truth is found. Whatever is learned, those affected deserve to know that no stone was left unturned to find them answers. Any other steps beyond simply learning the truth would depend on what that truth turns out to be.
