James R. Clark Obituary, Death; Motorcyclist dies after crashing into rear of hay wagon
James R. Clark Obituary, Death – New York State Police have confirmed that a motorcyclist was killed in a fatal collision in the Town of West Monroe. The victim has been identified as 34-year-old James R. Clark from Constantia, New York.
The incident occurred on the afternoon of August 6, at approximately 3:30 p.m. Troopers responded to a call reporting a two-vehicle accident on County Route 11. When they arrived at the scene, they discovered that the crash involved a motorcycle and a pickup truck towing a hay wagon.
According to the initial findings of the investigation, the crash happened as a 2015 Chevrolet pickup truck was traveling southbound on County Route 11. The truck was towing a hay wagon, which had a slow-moving vehicle triangle attached to it, indicating it was traveling at reduced speed. The vehicle was in the process of making a slow left turn into a driveway when Clark, who was riding a motorcycle behind it, collided with the back of the hay wagon.
Clark sustained fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the pickup truck was unharmed and did not require medical attention.
Authorities have not yet determined what factors may have contributed to the crash, including whether speed, visibility, or any distraction played a role. The case remains under active investigation as police work to collect all relevant evidence and witness accounts.
This incident underscores the dangers motorcyclists can face when approaching slow or turning vehicles, particularly on rural roads where agricultural equipment or trailers are more common. The slow-moving vehicle triangle is intended to alert following drivers to reduced speeds, but it’s unclear whether Clark had sufficient time to react or notice the vehicle’s turn.
Clark’s death is a tragic loss for his family and the local community. No further details have been released about him or the events leading up to the crash.
State Police continue to gather information and are asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision or who has additional details to come forward. They hope to reconstruct the full sequence of events to determine whether any citations or charges are warranted.
At this time, no wrongdoing has been attributed to the driver of the pickup truck, and authorities have not reported any signs of impairment or negligence on that driver’s part.
Motorists are reminded to be vigilant, especially when sharing the road with motorcycles or slow-moving agricultural vehicles. Proper following distance, awareness of road signs like the orange triangle for slow vehicles, and cautious driving in rural areas can be key in preventing such tragedies.
Updates may be provided as the investigation develops and more details become available.
