Wise County, TX — November 16, 2025, Ronald Sandlin lost his life in a motorcycle versus pickup truck accident at approximately 11:00 a.m. along F.M 1810.

According to authorities, 53-year-old Ronald Sandlin was traveling on an eastbound Honda motorcycle behind a Ford F-350 hauling a trailer on F.M. 1810 approaching the C.R. 1750 intersection before the accident took place.

Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, as the pickup truck attempted a left turn onto County Road 1750, the motorcycle attempted to pass it on the left. A collision consequently followed between the two vehicles.

Sandlin reportedly sustained fatal injuries due to the wreck. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a motorcyclist loses his life attempting to pass a turning vehicle, the focus often falls immediately on decisions made in a split second. But passing collisions—especially near intersections—demand a closer look at timing, visibility, and whether either vehicle was behaving as expected before impact.

1. Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?
Given the context of the collision, it’s important to examine how clearly marked the roadway was and whether investigators fully reconstructed the moment the truck began its turn. Did they determine when the turn signal was activated, or how much time the motorcyclist had to respond? What about the trailer—did it obstruct sightlines or limit maneuvering space? A thorough analysis of vehicle paths, speeds, and distances could help clarify whether the rider saw the turn in time or misjudged it entirely.

2. Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?
Sometimes what looks like a risky maneuver is really a reaction to something unexpected. If the truck’s signals weren’t working or were activated late, that could have misled the rider about its next move. Likewise, any failure in the motorcycle’s brakes or steering could’ve left the rider unable to abort the pass or slow down. These possibilities are rarely visible at the scene, which is why mechanical inspections of both vehicles are so important.

3. Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
The truck may have stored data showing speed, throttle, brake pressure, and steering input—critical information for verifying whether the turn was initiated abruptly or with warning. Was any dashcam footage reviewed or recovered from either vehicle? That kind of evidence could make clear what the motorcyclist saw—or didn’t—just before impact.

When someone dies in a crash involving a split-second decision, it’s tempting to stop at what shouldn’t have been done. But real accountability means asking why that decision was made in the first place—and whether it could have been avoided with better communication between machines and the people driving them.

Takeaways:

• Turn-related motorcycle collisions should be reconstructed to evaluate timing and driver behavior.
• Mechanical failures in signaling or braking may contribute to misjudged passing attempts.
• Digital data and camera footage often provide the clearest picture of pre-crash events.