A disturbing trend of serious motorcycle accidents continued Saturday night on the bypass leaving the cyclist with serious injuries.
The victim, Cory Lynn Slatton, 21, was airlifted from the scene by AirEvac helicopter to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for treatment of critical injuries.
The wreck happened around 8 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of U.S. 70 Bypass and Old Smithville Highway. According to McMinnville Police reports, the wreck happened as Slatton was attempting to make a left turn onto Old Smithville Road from the bypass. Upon entering the intersection located in front of Walmart his westbound 2002 Suzuki motorcycle crossed into the path of the eastbound GMC Jimmy driven by Dori Perry. She was traveling the opposite direction on the bypass and crossing under the traffic light at the same time he was attempting to make the turn.
An investigation revealed both drivers had the green light. However, Perry had the right of way since she was traveling straight and the cyclist was turning. While he had a green light, he did not have the protected turn light which is meant to aid those making turns at that intersection.
Perry was charged at the scene for driving on a suspended license.
Slatton was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. However, the impact knocked the helmet from his head leaving him unprotected when he was thrown into the windshield of the car he collided with, hitting it head first. He suffered serious head trauma in the crash, prompting the on-scene airlift.