Edison Lajara Hernandez, 38, of Holyoke, Died in Longmeadow Motorcycle Accident With Pickup Truck on Interstate 91 North
LONGMEADOW, MASSACHUSETTS (August 15, 2025) – A motorcyclist identified as Edison Hernandez has tragically died in a Longmeadow car accident on Interstate 95. Hampden County officials are saying that the accident took place around 8:47 p.m. on Tuesday. Edison Hernandez was traveling down the road on a motorcycle.
At that same time, a 2023 Ford Maverick pickup truck was headed southbound on I-91 in a traffic lane used for construction. That driver made a U-turn directly into the path of the motorcycle.
Edison Hernandez was not able to avoid a collision and hit the pickup truck. A police detective was the first person to arrive at the scene. He began life-saving measures, including CPR. Paramedics were also called to the scene. Sadly, efforts to revive the victim were not effective. He later died due to the severe nature of his injuries.
A full investigation into the collision remains ongoing at this time.
The Danger of U-turn Accidents
Left turns and U-turns are among the most dangerous maneuvers that drivers make. Every driver must observe certain safety requirements before making any U-turn in the roadway. Pursuant to 720 CMR, § 9.06, the driver of any vehicle intending to make a left turn or U-turn in the roadway must first yield the right-of-way to all traffic traveling from the opposite direction and close enough to pose a hazard. If a driver makes a U-turn into the path of a motorcyclist or other vehicle, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. There are many different reasons why a driver might make a dangerous left turn.
- Blind Spots: Drivers in larger vehicles may have failed to check their blind spots. The blind spots on a truck can easily obscure the presence of pedestrians and motorcycles.
- Driver Distraction: It’s incredibly easy to be distracted when making left turns and U-turns. Drivers have to consider traffic in two separate directions.
- Fatigue: Driver fatigue remains one of the leading causes of car accidents. This is particularly true for drivers in commercial vehicles who are asked to work long hours.
Third-Party Liability for Massachusetts Car Accidents
Evidence preservation is key to demonstrating liability for any collision. One of the most important pieces of evidence is surveillance footage that captured exactly what happened. Eyewitnesses also play an important role. They can offer key insights into what may have led up to a crash. Regardless of what any person may claim, the physical evidence left after a crash can paint a clear picture of what happened.
Depending on the facts of any case, there could be numerous liable parties for a collision. This is particularly true if a truck or other vehicle was being used for commercial purposes at the time of a collision. Employers across Massachusetts can be held vicariously liable for the wrongful actions of their workers who are involved in accidents. However, the employee must have been operating within the course and scope of their job duties.
There are many different ways that a truck driver may have been working at the time of a collision.
- Delivery Services: A truck driver may have been delivering supplies or equipment from one location to another.
- Service Calls: A truck driver may have been in the midst of a service call. This could include contract work for landscaping, utility services, or construction work.
- Worksite Travel: A truck driver may have been traveling between multiple job sites within a single day.
- Cities and other municipal entities: Government entities must maintain the roadways in a safe condition. It is also possible that a municipal entity like a city could be liable for a car accident if it was caused by a dangerous condition on public property.
For example, an area for a U-turn may have had poor visibility or viewing angles that made it difficult for drivers to see oncoming traffic. If a municipal entity has actual or constructive notice of a dangerous condition with a roadway, they must take action to fix it. Failing to take action in this scenario could impose liability on the municipal entity that controlled the road.
Investigating Hampden County Accidents
We at DiBella Law Injury & Accident Lawyers extend our deepest condolences to the family of Edison Hernandez. This was a preventable tragedy that should have never taken place. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police.
Do you need more information about a Longmeadow car accident? Our team of motorcycle accident attorneys are here for you. We are committed to helping accident victims understand their rights and fighting to make Massachusetts roads safer for all drivers. We can investigate the unique facts of any collision and get to the bottom of what happened and what may have contributed to any crash.
Whether you just have legal questions or need a free police report after any incident, we are here to serve your needs. You can contact us online anytime or call 24/7 for a free legal consultation.