The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating a bicycle accident involving a tractor-trailer. The accident happened during the early hours of Tuesday in Fenton, Missouri. According to authorities, 19-year-old Imperial resident Kevin Purcell was traveling on Interstate 44 eastbound when he was struck by a tractor-trailer at approximately 1 a.m. The Tractor-trailer was traveling in the same direction as Purcell, and the impact caused him and his bicycle to be thrown from the roadway. Purcell was transported to the hospital by ambulance for serious injuries, and he succumbed to those injuries on Wednesday evening. The driver of the tractor-trailer told police that due to poor lighting he did not see Purcell until it was too late. The Highway Patrol is investigating the accident, and it is still unclear why Purcell was riding his bike on the Interstate.
Bicycle accidents have serious and deadly results similar to pedestrian accidents. In 2013, 743 fatalities were caused by bicycle accidents, according to the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center. The size of the bicyclist prevents other motorists to clearly see them on the roadways, making it essential for all drivers to devote all of their attention to the roadways. Inattentive and distracted driving have been common causes of bicycle and pedestrian accidents over the past several years. If a driver has caused you to be injured in a bicycle or pedestrian accident, it is imperative to contact a St. Louis bicycle accident attorney.
At Meyerkord & Kurth our attorneys have over a century of combined legal experience. Our attorneys will aggressively fight to hold the driver accountable for their actions while recovering compensation for your damages. Contact us today for a free no-obligation consultation.