LAFAYETTE, NY — A motorcycle rider is dead after a collision that involved a pair of tractor-trailer drivers.
New York State Police say the preliminary investigation revealed that 42-year-old Sean M. Ayers, of Dundee, was driving a 2001 Peterbilt tractor-trailer in the driving lane when one of the truck’s tires blew out. Ayers began to slow down while trying to locate a safe area to pull over.
At the same time, 66-year-old Barbara L. Armstrong of Creston, IA, was driving a 2024 Peterbilt tractor-trailer in the passing lane and was in the process of passing Ayers.
As the two tractor-trailers occupied both lanes, a 2008 Harley Davidson motorcycle being driven by 28-year-old Austin E. Leonard, of LaFayette, approached from behind and tried to pass between the two trucks.
After passing the trucks, Leonard lost control of the motorcycle, struck the guide rail along the west shoulder and was ejected.
Leonard was sent to Upstate University Hospital, in critical condition, but died later at the hospital from his injuries.
Bruce Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has lived in three states including Arkansas, Missouri and Georgia. During his nearly 20-year career, Bruce has served as managing editor and sports editor for numerous publications. He and his wife, Dana, who is also a journalist, are based in Carrollton, Georgia.
So, AFTER the motorcycle passed BETWEEN two trucks in ADJACENT lanes on the highway, the MOTORCYCLIST LOST CONTROL. Other than the stupidity of the motorcyclist passing BETWEEN vehicles on the road, how are the trucks involved????? Anyway, sad he did not live to learn from his mistake.