Wade Hampton Morris III Killed in Greenville Bicycle Acci...
The 39-year-old Easley resident was struck by a tractor-trailer traveling north on US 25
Wade Hampton Morris III, 39, of Easley, was killed in a bicycle crash on US 25 near Harris Road on Tuesday night, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol..
A 2024 Peterbilt tractor-trailer and the bicycle were both traveling north on the highway around 10:43 p.m. when the semi struck the rider. The truck driver was not injured in the collision.
Paramedics pronounced the Easley man dead at the scene. The Highway Patrol continues to investigate the fatal collision.
A record 1,155 bicyclists were killed in motor vehicle crashes across the U.S. in 2023, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported.
The loss of a loved one in a commercial vehicle collision leaves families facing immense grief and complex investigations. When a tractor-trailer is involved, the disparity in size and protection often results in catastrophic outcomes for cyclists. Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, said, "Bicyclists remain among the most vulnerable road users, facing disproportionate risks in traffic environments. An attorney may reconstruct events to identify how speed, exposure, and driver inattention combine, showing how these conditions place cyclists at heightened risk of severe or fatal injury."
How common are fatal bicycle collisions in Greenville County?
"Grieving families of victims are sometimes overwhelmed by the legal processes that are in place to protect their rights," noted Stefano Formica, a national legal analyst for Accident News and of counsel at Bond Legal.
What risks do commercial trucks pose to cyclists on US 25?
South Carolina wrongful death statute
Under S.C. Code § 15-51-10, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. South Carolina applies modified comparative fault (51% bar). The statute of limitations is 3 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and mental shock and suffering.