A nighttime ride ended in tragedy yesterday when 66-year-old Trenton resident Robert M. Noble was killed in a collision between his motorcycle and a minivan at the intersection of North Telegraph Road and Newport Road in Frenchtown Township, Monroe County. Investigators said Noble was thrown from his 2012 Harley-Davidson and later died from his injuries. The minivan continued on, plowing through a fence before coming to rest in the parking lot of the DTE Energy Newport Service Center. The Monroe County Sheriff's Office Traffic Services Division is handling the investigation.
As reported by ClickOnDetroit, the crash happened yesterday at 11:08 p.m. Deputies said 34-year-old Carleana L. Plyler of Newport was driving a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica east on Newport Road with a juvenile passenger when the vehicle entered the intersection and struck Noble, who was turning south onto North Telegraph from westbound Newport. Investigators said Plyler and the juvenile were wearing seat belts and that the minivan's airbags deployed.
Local coverage from 13abc corroborated the sheriff's account and added that Noble was not wearing a helmet when he was ejected from the bike. Investigators said he came to rest on the south grassy shoulder of Newport Road and later died from his injuries, according to ClickOnDetroit. Early reports indicate alcohol was not believed to be a factor, and authorities said Plyler and the juvenile passenger were evaluated at the scene before later seeking medical treatment on their own.
Investigation and witness tips
The Monroe County Sheriff's Office Traffic Services Division is leading the probe and is asking anyone with information to contact the sheriff's office at 734-240-7541 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP, according to ClickOnDetroit. Deputies processed the scene while investigators documented evidence and photographed the area. No citations or charges have been announced as the investigation continues.
Helmet law and safety context
The finding that Noble was not wearing a helmet highlights the risks riders face in violent crashes like this, as head injuries remain a leading cause of motorcycle deaths. As the Michigan State Police notes, Michigan's helmet law includes exemptions for riders 21 and older who meet specific endorsement and medical-benefits insurance requirements, but otherwise requires DOT-approved helmets. As reported by 13abc, investigators at the scene noted that Noble was not wearing a helmet at the time of the collision.
Nearby crash history
Serious crashes have struck Telegraph Road and nearby county routes in recent years, drawing scrutiny to safety on these stretches. Hoodline previously covered a fatal motorcycle collision in the area in 2024, which similarly described a rider who was ejected and not wearing a helmet. Local agencies have been working to document crashes and identify patterns that could inform future engineering or enforcement responses.
Investigators are still piecing together what led up to the impact and have not released further details about the moments before the crash. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Monroe County Sheriff's Office or Crime Stoppers, as witness tips could help clarify the sequence of events. Our thoughts go out to Noble's family and friends during this difficult time.
