Albuquerque, NM — May 27, 2025, a motorcyclist was killed in a truck accident at about 7 a.m. at the intersection of 98th Street NW and Avalon Road.

Authorities said a Harley-Davidson motorcycle was going south on 98th Street when it crashed into the trailer of a semi-truck that was turning right off of Avalon.

The motorcyclist, whose name has not been made public yet, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash at this time. The accident is still being investigated.

Commentary

When people read about a crash between a semi-truck and a motorcycle, especially one that ends in a fatality, they want to know how it happened and who was at fault. That’s a fair instinct. But based on the initial reports out of Albuquerque, we’re still missing key facts that would help answer those questions.

According to authorities, the motorcycle was traveling south on 98th Street when it collided with the trailer of an 18-wheeler turning right from Avalon Road. That could suggest a few different scenarios, but without knowing more about the timing and positioning of both vehicles, it’s impossible to say definitively what went wrong.

One of the biggest unknowns here is whether the semi-truck had already completed most of its turn or was just beginning it when the motorcycle arrived at the intersection. If the truck had already started the turn, why didn’t the motorcyclist have time to react? Was the trailer obscured? Was it moving too slowly? On the other hand, if the truck pulled out suddenly or failed to yield, that could point to the driver making a dangerous or illegal maneuver.

Without dash cam footage or eyewitness accounts, it’s just speculation. But these are the types of questions a proper investigation must address.

To get real answers, investigators will need to gather physical and electronic evidence:

• Engine control module (ECM) data can reveal how fast the truck was moving and whether the driver braked or accelerated at the time of the crash.
• In-cab cameras, if installed, could show the driver's line of sight and reaction time.
• Dash cam footage from nearby vehicles or traffic cameras could help recreate the sequence of events.
• Driver phone records might confirm whether the truck driver was distracted during the turn.

And because motorcycles are so much smaller and more vulnerable than big trucks, visibility is always a concern. If poor mirror use or blind spots played a role, that could point to driver error or inadequate training.

We also don’t yet know who the trucking company is, what kind of load was being hauled, or how the company screens and trains its drivers. In past cases I’ve worked on, companies have put inexperienced drivers behind the wheel without proper vetting. I’ve even seen companies who conducted little more than a 20-minute road test before sending someone out in an 80,000-pound vehicle.

That’s not to say the company here cut corners, but it is something that has to be looked into. The right questions now can prevent future harm and help the victim’s family get the answers they deserve.

Key Takeaways

• It’s unclear from initial reports whether the truck or the motorcycle had the right of way.
• ECM data, dash cams and cell phone records could help determine whether the truck driver acted appropriately.
• Visibility and timing are critical factors in truck-motorcycle crashes and must be investigated thoroughly.
• The trucking company’s hiring and training practices may be relevant depending on what the investigation uncovers.