Cleveland, OH — June 6, 2025, One person was killed following an 18-wheeler accident that occurred at around 1:50 P.M. on West 7th Street.

According to official statements, a motorcycle operated by a man in his 30's was traveling on West 7th Street near Quigley Road when it was involved in a collision with an 18-wheeler, the cause of which is unknown.

When first responders arrived on the scene they found that the motorcycle driver had sustained fatal injuries and he was pronounced deceased, and at this time his identity has not been released.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a motorcyclist is killed in a collision with an 18-wheeler, people understandably want answers—but so far, the most important one remains missing: What caused the crash? Without that information, it’s impossible to know whether this was an avoidable event or something that could not have been prevented.

Unanswered Questions

According to official statements, the motorcycle was traveling on West 7th Street near Quigley Road when the collision occurred. What’s not clear is how the crash unfolded. Was the 18-wheeler turning? Changing lanes? Was the motorcycle in a blind spot? Did either vehicle have the right of way?

Another important unknown is whether the truck was in motion or stopped when the crash occurred. If it was turning across traffic, then the angle and timing of that turn will need to be scrutinized. If it was stopped and the motorcycle collided with it from behind, then questions shift toward visibility, lighting, and road layout.

Evidence That Will Be Critical

Establishing what happened in a crash like this takes more than just a police report. A proper investigation should include:

• In-cab camera footage, if the truck was equipped with it
• ECM (black box) data from the truck to determine speed, braking, and throttle activity
• Surveillance video or dash cams from surrounding businesses or vehicles
• Cell phone records from both drivers to rule out distraction
• Crash reconstruction based on physical evidence at the scene

In cases I’ve worked involving fatal motorcycle-truck collisions, critical details often came from black box data and driver interviews—not from witness statements alone. That’s especially true when only one side of the story is still available to tell.

Why Trucking Company Oversight May Matter

Even if this turns out to be a case of driver error, it’s worth asking whether the trucking company had policies in place to prevent this kind of crash. Did they train drivers on how to look out for motorcycles, which are harder to see but no less entitled to use the road? Was this particular driver involved in prior incidents? Did the company monitor and evaluate driver performance in a meaningful way?

I’ve seen companies cut corners on safety or overlook patterns in driver behavior until something goes horribly wrong. These aren't theoretical risks—they show up in real cases with real consequences.

Key Takeaways

• The cause of the fatal collision remains unknown, and the limited details leave major questions unanswered.
• Whether the truck was turning, stopped, or changing lanes is central to determining liability.
• Investigators should review black box data, camera footage, and phone records to understand what occurred.
• The trucking company’s training, supervision, and hiring policies may also come under scrutiny.
• A full investigation is needed to uncover the truth and determine who, if anyone, should be held accountable.