Merced County, CA (April 7, 2024) – A tragic incident on Interstate 5 earlier this month has resulted in the death of a motorcycle rider, identified by the Merced County Sheriff Coroner’s Office as 36-year-old Ledontea Sellers of Contra Costa County.
Incident Overview: The accident occurred late on April 7 at around 11:53 p.m. in the northbound lanes of Interstate 5, just north of Canyon Road. California Highway Patrol (CHP) reports indicate that Sellers was riding his 2022 Harley Davidson and maneuvered to pass a slower-moving truck pulling a box trailer in the number one lane. As he was passing the truck, two tires detached from the trailer and struck his motorcycle. The impact caused Sellers to be ejected from his motorcycle and crash into the roadway, where he sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigation and Legal Implications: The CHP’s ongoing investigation will focus on the circumstances surrounding the detachment of the tires from the trailer, which is a critical factor in the crash. Based on the information available, the manufacturer of the trailer, or the trucking company in charge of maintenance, may be responsible for the tire failure and, ultimately, the accident itself. In this situation, it would be advantageous for the family of the victim to speak with an experienced attorney and consider filing a wrongful death claim for their loss.
I offer my sincerest condolences to the friends and family of Ledontea Sellers at this difficult time. I hope that they are able to get justice for their loss and receive the support they need.
Source: Merced Sun-Star