Lamar Smith rode his motorcycle down West 12th Street in Erie on Thursday. It was about 12:30 in the afternoon. The road looked like any other day in the city.
He reached the intersection with Greengarden. A van came into his path. The two vehicles smashed together hard. There was no time to stop or turn away.
Police got there fast. They found Lamar still on the pavement. He was 39 years old and lived right here in Erie. Medics checked him but it was too late. They said he died right at the scene.
Folks who knew the area said traffic often gets thick at that spot. West 12th Street carries a lot of cars and trucks every day. Motorcycles share the same lanes without much protection.
Lamar had lived 39 years in this town. He left behind people who cared about him. Friends and family now face an empty space where he used to be.
The crash shut down the intersection for hours. Officers measured skid marks and talked to anyone who saw what happened. They want to know exactly how the van and motorcycle met.
This kind of wreck hits hard in a place like Erie. Drivers pass that corner every day without thinking twice. One quick moment changed everything for Lamar and the people who loved him.
Police say the investigation is still open. They have not finished looking at all the details yet.
Leave a Reply