Gallatin County, MT — October 23, 2025, a motorcyclist was killed due to a cargo truck accident at approximately 7:00 a.m. along Jackrabbit Lane.

According to authorities, a 27-year-old man from Belgrade was traveling on a southbound motorcycle on Jackrabbit Lane at the Baxter Lane intersection when the accident took place.

Officials indicate that a southbound cargo truck attempted a U-turn at the intersection. A collision consequently occurred between the front-end of the motorcycle and the left-side of the truck. The motorcyclist reportedly sustained fatal injuries as a result of the wreck. Additional details pertaining to this incident—including the identity of the victim—are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a motorcyclist collides with the side of a commercial truck during a U-turn, the central legal question is whether the truck driver had any business making that maneuver in traffic. U-turns are among the most dangerous decisions a commercial driver can make—especially on a busy roadway and during early morning hours when visibility and reaction time may be compromised.

Initial reports suggest both vehicles were traveling southbound when the cargo truck attempted a U-turn at the intersection. That raises immediate concerns about driver judgment, awareness of following traffic, and whether the turn was even legal or practical at that location. U-turns by large trucks often take more time and space than drivers realize—and if executed without a clear, open path, they leave little room for others to avoid a collision.

This kind of crash also points to a likely line-of-sight failure. Did the motorcyclist have time to see the truck and react? Did the truck obstruct multiple lanes as it turned? And was there any advance warning from the truck—like turn signals or brake lights? Investigators should be reviewing dash cam footage, witness statements, and surveillance video from the intersection to reconstruct exactly how the maneuver was executed and whether it complied with local traffic laws.

In my experience, commercial drivers are often under pressure to correct a missed turn, reposition for a delivery, or navigate unfamiliar roads—sometimes without clear instructions. If the U-turn was made because of unclear routing or poor logistical planning, the responsibility may not stop with the driver. Company dispatch records, route sheets, and driver communication logs may reveal whether the driver was trying to fix a larger problem created by inadequate support.

Regardless of the underlying reason, executing a U-turn in traffic with a commercial vehicle carries a higher duty of care. When it results in a fatal crash, that decision has to be examined from every angle.

Key Takeaways:

• The key issue is whether the truck driver’s U-turn was safe, legal, and appropriate under the conditions.
• Dash cam footage and intersection surveillance can help clarify how much time the motorcyclist had to react.
• U-turns by commercial vehicles carry higher risk due to their size and limited maneuverability.
• Company routing decisions and communication may have contributed if the driver was trying to compensate for poor planning.
• A full investigation should assess not just the legality of the turn, but whether it was reasonably safe given the traffic and environment.