A somber pall has descended upon a south Charlotte community as authorities investigate a tragic collision that cost a man his life. On Friday afternoon, 73-year-old William Sterling Yoder was confirmed dead after his bicycle was struck by a semi-truck at the intersection of Woodlawn Road and Park Road, an area known for bustling shops and steady traffic. CMPD has reported that, despite being pronounced unresponsive at the scene, the circumstances surrounding the crash are still unclear, as stated by officials.
Amid the efforts to thoroughly investigate the accident, police had to shut down the busy intersection for several hours, reopening it by 6 p.m. According to subsequent information released, the driver of the semi-truck, a 39-year-old man, cooperated with the authorities and remained on scene. Speeding and impairment are not believed to immediately be factors in the crash, though CMPD has not yet disclosed whether any charges will be filed. The accident has prompted a call for potential witnesses to step forward, with Det. Mercedes reachable at the provided contact details for those holding any relevant information, as reported by WBTV.
Images from the crash site showed the aftermath of the incident, with crime scene tape cordoning off the involved tractor-trailer and what was left of the bicycle resting adjacent on the ground. This heartbreaking tableau has served to underscore the inherent vulnerabilities cyclists face on the road, a risk all too apparent in a cityscape dominated by motorized vehicles. Yoder’s death, as relayed by CMPD, has been communicated to his family, leaving a wake of grief and an array of unanswered questions, as WCNC detailed.
