Motorcyclist killed in left-turn crash at Geist and Loftus in Fairbanks

A motorcyclist died Saturday at the intersection of Geist Road and Loftus Road in Fairbanks after colliding with a vehicle turning left, Alaska State Troopers said.

Troopers responded to a report of a collision involving injuries at the intersection on July 25. A preliminary investigation indicates the motorcycle was traveling east on Geist Road when it struck a vehicle attempting a left turn onto Loftus Road.

The motorcycle driver sustained critical injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the trooper dispatch. Troopers are withholding the driver's identity pending notification of next of kin. No charges have been announced.

Troopers are leading the investigation into the cause and circumstances. They said that work remains active.

The crash followed another serious motorcycle crash in the Fairbanks area earlier in July. On July 1, 52-year-old Timothy Murphrey of Fairbanks lost control of his motorcycle while traveling west on College Road and sustained severe injuries. He was flown to Anchorage for treatment.

Left-turn collisions are a documented motorcycle safety pattern. Federal crash data show that in fatal two-vehicle collisions involving a motorcycle, a significant share involve the other vehicle turning left while the rider is going straight, passing, or overtaking. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation attributes many of those crashes to drivers failing to detect an approaching motorcycle or misjudging its distance. Alaska transportation safety officials classify motorcyclists as vulnerable road users because of their higher risk of serious injury or death in crashes.