In Sampson County, a tragic incident occurred on Monday as a Harley-Davidson motorcycle was hit by a semitractor-trailer, resulting in the death of Tyler Gilbert.
According to troopers, a semi-trailer collided with 28-year-old Tyler Austin Gilbert’s motorcycle as he was traveling east on Harnett-Dunn Highway (N.C. Highway 55) near the Green Path Road intersection at approximately 11:50 a.m. Gilbert, who resides on Raiford Road, was the victim of the accident. In a biking accident, Gilbert was thrown off his bike and the bike itself came to rest under the front bumper of a nearby truck.
Despite the paramedics’ desperate efforts to resuscitate him, Gilbert was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to troopers, Richard Lee James from Darlington, South Carolina, specifically 1929 E. Seven Pines St., failed to yield to Gilbert resulting in a collision between his truck and Gilbert.
A man named James has been charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and failure to yield the right-of-way at a stop sign.
According to North Carolina State Highway Patrol Sgt. D.K. Pearson, Trooper L.M. High was responsible for investigating the fatal crash.
The intersection was closed due to a wreck as emergency services personnel provided aid and troopers conducted an investigation.
According to reports, the truck in question is owned by Smith Trucking, a company based in Bowman, South Carolina.
A search warrant has been obtained for the commercial motor vehicle inspection of the truck.
A team of firefighters, rescue technicians, and paramedics hailing from Plain View and Dunn were sent to the scene of the accident, accompanied by the Highway Patrol.
In 2021, North Carolina’s roads saw the deaths of over 200 motorcyclists, specifically 202. Law enforcement agencies are urging drivers to “look twice” in order to prevent collisions with motorcycles.