WATER VALLEY, TX (04/26/2016) — Motorcyclists Jon Phillips and Daniealle Bailey died on Tuesday after their motorcycle was rear-ended by a pickup truck.
Officials have identified 36-year-old Jon Phillips and 31-year-old Daniealle Bailey as the victims of a fatal motorcycle accident that occurred on Highway 87 in Water Valley, Texas.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers, at around 12:30 p.m., a 2015 Dodge Ram 1500—driven by 39-year-old Cesar V. Garcia—was traveling northbound when a 2006 Honda Shadow motorcycle pulled out from a rest area at a low rate of speed.
“For unknown reasons, the vehicle was traveling at a low rate of speed,” said DPS Trooper Justin Baker. “The driver of the 2015 Dodge Ram pickup observed the motorcycle in the inside lane, and for unknown reasons, the motorcycle changed lanes, resulting in a rear-end collision with the motorcycle and the Dodge Ram pickup.”
The driver of the motorcycle, Jon Phillips, as well as his passenger, Daniealle Bailey, both died in the accident. Troopers stated that neither victim wore a helmet.
This accident remains under investigation.
Commentary
While some publications are harping on the fact that both victims were not wearing a helmet, the damage to the front-end of the pickup truck leads me to believe that, unfortunately, a helmet may not have been enough to save the victims’ lives. Of course while helmets are not always required for motorcyclists in Texas, I don’t want to downplay their importance. Safety gear is essential for bikers as it is often the only protection you have in the event of an accident.
To those affected by this tragedy, we offer our deepest condolences.
