Coffeyville, KS — June 16, 2025, One person was injured following an 18-wheeler accident that occurred at around 3:57 P.M. on CR 4300.

According to reports, a Honda motorcycle operated by Wyatt Johnson was traveling on County Road 4300 near Morning Lane Road, when it collided with an 18-wheeler that pulled in front of it as it was attempting to turn.

When first responders arrived on the scene, they found Johnson had sustained critical injuries and transported him to the hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. No other injuries were reported, and it's unclear if any charges or citations will ne filed. This remains an ongoing investigation, and no updates have been released on the status of the investigation.

Commentary

When people read about a crash where an 18-wheeler turns in front of a motorcycle, they naturally want to know: How could that happen? Was the truck driver paying attention? Did the motorcyclist have the right of way? Most importantly, are we getting the full story?

Based on what's been reported so far, an 18-wheeler was turning onto County Road 4300 when it collided with a motorcycle that was already traveling down that road. That raises immediate questions about right-of-way. If the motorcycle was going straight and the truck was turning across its path, then on paper, it sounds like the motorcyclist had the right to proceed. But we don't know enough yet to say for sure.

The fact that the crash happened during a turning maneuver makes timing and visibility critical parts of the puzzle. Was the truck driver able to see clearly down the road before pulling out? How fast was the motorcycle traveling, and how far away was it when the truck began its turn? Those aren’t questions that can be answered by guesswork—they require evidence.

That evidence might come from dash cams, traffic or surveillance cameras near the intersection, or even eyewitnesses. But perhaps the most important source is the truck's own electronic systems. Most 18-wheelers these days have engine control modules (ECMs) that record speed, braking, throttle position, and more in the moments leading up to a crash. Some are also equipped with in-cab cameras that can help determine whether the driver looked both ways, hesitated, or appeared distracted.

One thing that stands out in the initial reports is what's missing. There's no mention of whether any citations have been issued or if the driver was cited at the scene. That might suggest authorities are still trying to sort out who had the legal right of way. But depending on the circumstances, failure to yield in a situation like this could easily meet the standard for negligence.

In my experience, especially in fatal crashes involving motorcycles, the trucking company's policies and driver training also deserve a closer look. Did the driver follow company protocols before making the turn? Was there pressure to make a delivery on time that may have affected the driver’s decision-making? Those aren’t far-fetched questions—they come up all the time in real cases I've worked on.

It’s possible this crash was caused by a single poor decision in a split second. But it's just as possible that a deeper set of failures—from inadequate training to inattention behind the wheel—played a part. The only way to find out is to dig into every piece of data available.

Key Takeaways:

• It's not yet clear who had the right of way when the 18-wheeler turned in front of the motorcycle.
• Key evidence may come from dash cams, ECM data, and eyewitness accounts.
• Investigators should examine not just the driver's actions, but also company policies and training.
• Without a full independent investigation, no one can say definitively who's responsible.
• Fatal motorcycle crashes involving trucks require close scrutiny due to timing and visibility challenges.