Police investigate deadly crash involving motorcyclist on S. Church Street
Update:
The motorcyclist has been identified as 21-year-old Dax Van Ekelenburg of Murfreesboro. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Original Release:
Murfreesboro Police Department Fatal Accident Crash Team (FACT) investigators are investigating a crash where a motorcyclist was killed on Thursday, April 24. Investigators are trying to determine if speed was a contributing factor.
Police officers responded to the crash involving a car and motorcycle near the intersection of S. Church Street and S. Rutherford Blvd. just after 7 p.m. An MPD officer immediately began CPR before crews with Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department and Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services (RCEMS) took over medical care. RCEMS personnel took the motorcycle rider to the hospital where he passed away.
The preliminary investigation indicates the driver of a Ford Taurus was traveling southbound on S. Church in the continuous left turn lane, failing to yield and colliding with the motorcyclist. The motorcyclist was traveling northbound on S. Church in the right lane. Another motorcyclist was following the first bike and was able to brake in time to avoid a collision. The driver of the car was not hurt.
FACT investigators are also trying to determine if the speed of the motorcycle was a contributing factor in the crash.
The investigation continues.
Considering this fatal crash, and other motorcycle crashes in the city, the Murfreesboro police Traffic Unit, and members of the Rutherford County Traffic Safety Task Force will host a Motorcycle Safety Event on May 17 from 10 a.m. to noon at Bumpus Harley-Davidson of Murfreesboro on NW Broad Street.
