Volusia County, FL — March 16, 2025, One person was killed following a motorcycle accident that occurred at around 8:19 P.M. on SR 415.

An investigation is underway following a motorcycle accident that left one person dead during the evening hours of March 16th. According to official reports, a 49-year-old man was travelling on a motorcycle on SR 415 in the northbound lanes as a pickup was traveling in the southbound lanes when the pickup attempted to pass a vehicle and entered the path of the motorcycle and collided with it.

When first responders arrived on the scene, they found that the motorcyclist had sustained fatal injuries and they were pronounced deceased. At this time there has been no further information released from the accident, however this remains an ongoing investigation and more details may be released by authorities in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I read about a crash like this, my first thought is that I hope the motorcyclist’s loved ones receive the answers they need. While it may seem like a straightforward case of a pickup attempting to pass and entering the motorcycle’s path, my experience has shown that head-on collisions often have more to them than meets the eye. Before drawing any conclusions, it’s essential to ask three key questions to ensure a full and thorough investigation.

The first question is whether authorities conducted a comprehensive investigation. Law enforcement officers typically document the scene, take witness statements, and assess visible evidence, but the depth of these investigations can vary. Given that the pickup was reportedly passing another vehicle at the time of the crash, investigators should determine whether the driver had a clear line of sight and whether road markings or traffic conditions permitted a safe pass. Additionally, they should examine whether the motorcyclist had any opportunity to avoid the crash or if the actions of the pickup left them with no chance to react.

The second question—one that is often overlooked—is whether a mechanical defect contributed to the crash. While driver decision-making is a major factor in passing-related collisions, it’s also important to consider whether a failure in either vehicle played a role. A braking issue, steering malfunction, or headlight visibility problem could have impacted the motorcyclist’s ability to react. Additionally, investigators should assess whether the pickup driver was able to return to their lane as expected or if a mechanical issue made it difficult to do so. However, identifying such issues requires a forensic examination of the vehicles, and if they are not preserved, key evidence may be lost before it can be properly analyzed.

The third question is whether all available electronic data has been collected. Most modern vehicles, including many motorcycles, are equipped with an electronic control module (ECM) that records crucial information such as speed, braking, and throttle input leading up to the crash. Additionally, surveillance cameras from nearby businesses, dashcam recordings, or even cell phone data from either driver could provide valuable insight into what happened. Since electronic data can be lost or overwritten if not secured quickly, investigators must act fast to preserve this critical evidence.

At the end of the day, answering these three questions isn’t just about understanding how this crash happened—it’s about ensuring that the motorcyclist’s loved ones have access to the full truth. Serious crashes leave families searching for clarity, and the least we can do as a community is make sure that every possible explanation is explored before reaching any conclusions.