Authorities said a motorcyclist died in a collision with a car on North Illinois Avenue at the western entrance to the Kroger shopping center at about 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016. Above, the Oak Ridge Police Department and Clinton Police Department reconstruct the crash. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
Note: This story was last updated at 11:23 p.m.
A motorcyclist died in a collision with a car on North Illinois Avenue on Sunday evening, authorities said.
The collision between a Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle and Cadillac STS four-door sedan was reported at about 6 p.m. Sunday, Oak Ridge Police Department Deputy Chief Robin Smith said.
Smith said he didn’t immediately have details on whether the driver of the car was injured.
The crash occurred on North Illinois Avenue between Oak Ridge Turnpike and Ivanhoe Road, at the western entrance to Westcott Center, the Kroger shopping center.
The southbound and northbound lanes of North Illinois Avenue were closed as police investigated.
The motorcycle was on its side in a northbound lane but angled southeast. The car was angled southwest, with its front end in a southbound lane, and the back half in a turn lane.
The car had significant damage to the driver’s side door.
The cause of the crash wasn’t immediately available.
Besides the ORPD, the Oak Ridge Fire Department and Clinton Police Department also responded. The CPD helped with crash reconstruction.
The car and the motorcycle were both towed away at about 9:20 p.m. The road was still closed at that time.
Smith said the ORPD could have more information, including the identities of those involved, on Monday morning.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
The fatal two-vehicle crash occurred on North Illinois Avenue at the western entrance to Westcott Center, the Kroger shopping center, at about 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
The Clinton Police Department sent its crash reconstruction equipment to help investigate the fatal two-vehicle crash on North Illinois Avenue on Sunday evening, Jan. 31, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
Oak Ridge Police Department Lt. John Kelly, left, and Clinton Police Department Officer Max Smith reconstruct a fatal car-motorcycle crash on North Illinois Avenue at the western entrance to Kroger on Sunday evening, Jan. 31, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
Investigators used the Oak Ridge Fire Department’s tower truck to help investigate the fatal two-vehicle crash on North Illinois Avenue on Sunday evening, Jan. 31, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
The Oak Ridge Police Department investigates a fatal two-vehicle crash involving a Cadillac STS four-door sedan and Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle on North Illinois Avenue at the western entrance to the Westcott Center, the Kroger shopping center, on Sunday evening, Jan. 31, 2016. Pictured above from left are ORPD Lt. John Kelly, Detective John Criswell, and Officer Matt Johnston. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
Oak Ridge Police Department Lt. John Kelly, left, and Clinton Police Department Officer Max Smith reconstruct a fatal car-motorcycle crash on North Illinois Avenue at the western entrance to Kroger on Sunday evening, Jan. 31, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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Jason Allison says
Sorry for the Shepard’s loss.
I’m not an accident reconstructionist, but judging by the picture this is a case of why you shouldn’t turn left from a right turn only lane…
johnhuotari says
Hi, Jason. I checked today, but a report isn’t available yet for this crash. I’ll try to let you know when we have more information.
Thank you,
John
Paul Lambert says
Please let me know too John. I was great friends with Rufus.
johnhuotari says
I will, Paul. I’m sorry for your loss.
Paul Lambert says
Thanks John.
Paul Lambert says
I agree Jason. I saw that too.
Paul Lambert says
I was great friends with Rufus Shepard. I met him at Clayton Nissan when I got my oil changes there and then followed him to East Tennessee Nissan. My wife and I bought vehicles from there and had our vehicles serviced with Rufus. My wife loved his infectious laugh and BIG smile every time we came to get our vehicles serviced. I know that he will be missed by many people. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and East Tennessee Nissan at this time.