UPDATE (April 14, 2025): Recent reports have been released which clarify some of the details surrounding this accident. According to those reports, John Moulton was traveling on a westbound bicycle in the westbound lanes of U.S. 70 approaching a bridge overpass when the accident occurred. He reportedly attempted to move his bike up onto the curb, but ended up falling over and was struck by an eastbound 18-wheeler, incurring fatal injuries. No additional details are currently available. Investigations continue.

Selma, NC — April 7, 2025, a bicyclist lost their life following a truck accident just after 11:30 a.m. along U.S. Highway 70.

According to authorities, the accident took place on U.S. 70 in the vicinity between the U.S. Highway 301 and Interstate Highway 95 intersections.

Details surrounding the accident remain scarce. Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, a collision took place between a bicycle and an 18-wheeler. The person who had been on the bicycle reportedly suffered fatal injuries due to the wreck. Additional information pertaining to this incident—including the identity of the victim—is not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary

In my experience, collisions between bicyclists and commercial trucks are some of the most legally complex and emotionally charged cases we deal with—not just because of the outcomes, but because of how often they occur in situations where visibility, timing, and space are in short supply. When a crash like this happens in broad daylight on a major highway, the most pressing question becomes: How did two vehicles moving at such different speeds end up in the same space at the same time?

One possibility that needs to be examined closely is whether the truck driver ever saw the cyclist at all. Even in daylight, large trucks have wide blind spots—especially along the right side and near the front corners. But having blind spots doesn’t excuse failing to check them. Commercial drivers are trained to look for vulnerable road users, and that includes bicycles. If the driver failed to properly clear their surroundings before turning or changing lanes, then that’s not just a mistake—it’s a breach of the duty they owe everyone else on the road.

The next question is whether the truck had the time and space to avoid the crash once the cyclist was in view. Were there traffic controls in place? Did either party have the right of way? Was the cyclist traveling on the shoulder, in a lane, or attempting to cross? These details matter a great deal, and they often get overlooked unless investigators take the time to gather all available data—dashcam footage, witness accounts, roadway design, and even GPS logs from the truck.

And if the 18-wheeler was being operated under a commercial carrier, that opens the door to broader concerns. Did the company train its drivers on how to share the road with cyclists? Were route choices made with non-motorized road users in mind? Was the vehicle equipped with side guards or visibility enhancements that can reduce the risk of these kinds of crashes? In far too many cases, the answer to those questions is no—because safety features that protect cyclists are still considered optional in much of the industry.

From where I sit, a fatal bicycle-truck collision doesn’t start and end with the moment of impact. It begins with decisions—by drivers, companies, and sometimes city planners—that create conditions where these crashes become likely. Only a full investigation will uncover whether this was truly unavoidable or the result of preventable failures. And that’s the only path forward to hold the right parties accountable and ensure that those affected by the wreck receive the clarity and closure they deserve.