Louisiana Man Killed in Alabama Motorcycle Crash

(KMDL-FM) A  21-year-old Youngsville, Louisiana, man has died following an early morning crash on a highway in Alabama. Alabama authorities say the incident happened at approximately 1:50 AM on a road in Covington County near Alabama State Highway 137 near the town of Andalusia, Alabama.

According to reports from the scene, a motorcycle operated by Jackson R. Poole collided with another motorcycle on the roadway. The operator of that motorcycle, identified as Elijah W. Bradley, a 19-year-old from Andalusia, Alabama, was also injured in the incident.

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According to law enforcement in Alabama, both of the injured men were taken to Andalusia Health for treatment of their injuries. Poole was transferred to HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital in Fort Walton Beach, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

How Dangerous Is It to Ride a Motorcycle?

According to the National Safety Council, motorcycle crashes represented 15% of all traffic fatalities in 2023. There were 6,335 motorcyclists killed in traffic-related crashes in that year. National Safety Council figures suggest there has been a rapid increase in fatal crashes involving motorcycles over the past ten years.

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Motorcycles only represent 3% of all registered vehicles on the roads in the United States. And only .6% of all vehicle miles traveled in the country. Statistics suggest that deaths involving motorcycle drivers and their passengers have increased by 38% in the previous decade.

Are Motorcycle Riders and Passengers Required to Wear a Helmet?

According to the National Safety Council, the increased use of helmets and state-mandated helmet laws have improved the fatality and injury rate for motorcyclists and their passengers.

Currently, only Illinois, Iowa, and New Hampshire have no laws regarding helmet use. Alabama requires all riders to wear a DOT-approved helmet. Florida law says that all riders under 21 years of age must wear a helmet.

In a statement concerning the crash Alabama Law Enforcement described the incident this way, "Jackson R. Poole, 21, of Youngsville, La., was critically injured when the 2002 Honda XXR 200R motorcycle he was operating struck the rear-end of the 2022 Honda CRF 125 motorcycle operated by Elijah W. Bradley, 19, of Andalusia".

The investigation into the crash remains open at this time.