Memphis, TN — July 10, 2025, a motorcyclist was injured in a truck accident at about 5:30 a.m. on Citation Drive near East Holmes Road.

Authorities said a semi-truck collided with a motorcycle near a warehouse close to the state line.

The motorcyclist, a man whose name has not been made public yet, was hospitalized in critical condition after the crash, according to authorities.

No other injuries were reported.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Shelby County crash at this time.

Commentary

When people hear that a motorcyclist was critically injured in a crash with an 18-wheeler near a warehouse before sunrise, they often ask the most basic, and most important, questions: How did this happen? Who was responsible? And what, if anything, is being done to find out?

As of now, we don’t know many critical details about this crash. Authorities haven’t said whether the truck was pulling out of the warehouse, turning onto Citation Drive, or already traveling along the road. Each of those possibilities points to very different potential causes. Was the motorcyclist in the truck’s blind spot? Did the truck fail to yield? Was the lighting sufficient for either party to see the other?

Another important unanswered question is what evidence exists beyond witness statements. Did the truck have a dash cam or in-cab video that might show what the driver saw, or failed to see? Did the truck’s ECM (engine control module, or "black box") record sudden braking or steering maneuvers? Was the driver using a phone at the time? Cell records and camera footage could help answer that, but only if someone requests them promptly.

Depending on what the evidence shows, liability could fall on the driver, the motorcyclist or potentially even the trucking company. If the trucker was making an early morning delivery, it’s fair to ask: Was he adequately rested? Was he familiar with the area? And what kind of training or oversight does his employer provide? I’ve litigated cases where poorly trained drivers were put on the road without proper vetting, and the consequences were severe.

The key here is not to rush to judgment but to demand a full investigation. That’s the only way to find out whether this was a matter of momentary distraction, poor visibility or something deeper, like a breakdown in company safety practices.

Key Takeaways:

• It’s unclear how the crash occurred, whether the truck was turning, stopped or in motion at the time.
• Black box data, dash cams and phone records could shed light on the truck driver's actions.
• The early morning timing and warehouse location raise questions about delivery logistics and visibility.
• A thorough investigation should explore not just driver behavior but also employer training and oversight.
• Real accountability comes only after all the facts are in, not before.