CALHOUN COUNTY, S.C. — Chase Mayberry, a 36-year-old Mount Holly motorcyclist, died Nov. 1 on Interstate 26 after a tractor trailer ran him off the road while shifting lanes.
Mayberry was westbound in the left lane of I-26 at about 4:05 p.m. when a tractor-trailer in the right lane shifted left and hit his 2012 Suzuki, according to a local news report.
The motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet and was ejected from his vehicle during the accident. Emergency response personnel airlifted him to Prisma Health Richland. He later died at the hospital.
The driver of the truck has not been identified, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
An investigation into the crash is underway. No additional information was immediately available.
COMMENTARY ON THE CHASE MAYBERRY ACCIDENT
I am very disturbed to learn of Mr. Mayberry’s tragic motorcycle accident that cut his life way too short. Unfortunately, no motorcyclist has a good chance of survival when hit by a semi. A tractor-trailer rig when empty weighs upwards of 25,000 pounds, and when it is fully loaded up to 80,000 pounds.
There is no doubt that motorcycling is a very dangerous mode of transportation. According to the 2019 Motorcycles Traffic Safety Fact Sheet, more than 5,000 motorcyclist fatalities and approximately 84,000 motorcyclist injuries occurred in 2019. Per mile traveled, motorcyclists are 29 times more likely to killed in an accident than in a passenger vehicle. Excessive speed, lack of safety equipment (such as a helmet), road conditions, impairment, inclement weather, and lack of visibility on the part of other drivers significantly add to the number of motorcycle fatalities annually.
I have represented many individuals across the United States who were involved in motorcycle accidents very similar to this one. I have personally witnessed the tremendous heartache and suffering caused by these crashes. My sincere condolences go out to Mr. Mayberry’s loved ones at this difficult time.
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