TRINITY, TX (02/20/2016) — 33-year-old Michelle Hunt lost her life in a motorcycle-vs-car accident on Saturday afternoon.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers, 33-year-old passenger Michelle Hunt was killed in a motorcycle accident that occurred just before 1:00 p.m. along State Highway 19 near Trinity, Texas.
DPS reported that 21-year-old David Smith was traveling southbound on a 2005 Honda motorcycle, with Hunt riding as a passenger, when he rear-ended a 2014 Toyota passenger car.
Hunt lost her life in the wreckage. Smith was taken to East Texas Medical Center for treatment.
Neither Smith or Hunt were reportedly wearing helmets at the time of the collision.
Officials stated that 77-year-old Tommy Turner, the driver of the Toyota, did not suffer any injuries.
This fatal accident remains under investigation.
Commentary
Motorcyclists have fewer protections available to them than the average motorist does. For example, the driver of a car has a seat belt, air bags, and an enclosed cage to protect them if they have an accident. Motorcyclists do not have those protections; a helmet is the extent of their ability to remain somewhat safe. However, it is the responsibility of the operator of the motorcycle to always keep their passengers safe from harm.
Was this motorcycle accident the product of tailgating? Speeding? Was the other vehicle stopped in the roadway? Did they pull out into the path of the motorcycle? At this point in the investigation, we simply do not know. I do hope that the investigation provides answers to the families of those involved, and our thoughts are with those affected by this unfortunate tragedy.
