Columbia motorcycle shop promotes safety after deadly crash | Central Missouri

Skylar Maddox, 25, was riding his motorcycle on Providence Road when police say Susan Hanel, 72, failed to yield, causing Maddox to crash into her vehicle at Sexton Road, according to police. Hanel allegedly told police she had been taking methadone and Valium.

Maddox was thrown from his motorcycle and was pronounced dead at a hospital. Prosecutors charged Hanel with multiple felonies, including causing a death while driving impaired. According to the probable cause statement, a witness says Hanel didn’t have on any lights when she was driving.

According to drivingtest.org, car drivers can take steps to help themselves and motorcyclists stay safe while sharing the road. The number one piece of advice for car drivers is to check blind spots.

Drivingtest.org recommends taking the time to scan all blind spots when driving. Motorcycles are smaller than cars and trucks. It may be hard to spot a motorcyclist while merging. Automobile drivers should make sure to signal and take a second look before turning left.

Drivingtest.org says taking an extra look for an approaching motorcycle can help prevent fatal injuries. Crashes involving the collision of a left-turning car and an approaching motorcycle — like the one that killed Maddox — can be very severe, often because the motorcycle T-bones the car while it is midway through the left turn.

Check back and watch ABC 17 News at 5 for more on this developing story.