BEDFORD – On Thursday, February 8th, at approximately 11:50 a.m., the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a single-vehicle motorcycle crash on Tunnelton Road, approximately 900 feet north of Pinhook Road. Deputies Shaun Cabral and Calvin Callahan responded and investigated the crash.Â
The investigation revealed that a 2018 Harley Davidson motorcycle, operated by 52-year-old Robert Taylor of Springville, was traveling north on Tunnelton Road in a long straightaway. Taylor and a rider of a second motorcycle had just left a residence approximately 1000 feet south of the crash location. Taylor’s motorcycle exited the roadway on the right (east) side for unknown reasons. The bike continued traveling north, just off the edge of the roadway. The pavement had numerous scuff marks and gouges where the motorcycle’s left footboard was dragging on the slightly raised asphalt roadway.
After approximately 159 feet off the edge of the roadway, the motorcycle struck a large tree, causing Taylor to be ejected from the bike. After impact with the tree, the motorcycle traveled another 44 feet before resting in the middle of the northbound lane of Tunnelton Road.
The other motorcyclist was in front of Taylor and did not see the crash. He heard it, but when he looked back, Taylor had already been ejected and the motorcycle slid to a stop. He immediately turned around and aided Taylor, as did passing motorists.
Unfortunately, Taylor suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased after being transported to IU Health in Bedford.
Under state law and standard fatal crash procedures, toxicology results are pending. An autopsy is also scheduled to determine if a medical issue contributed to the crash.
Sheriff Greg Day responded to the scene and assisted by taking crash reconstruction measurements. The Shawswick Fire Territory and Ambulance, IU Health EMS, Bedford Fire Department, and Jackson’s Heavy Haul assisted.
