Miami Motorcycle Officer Killed in Massive Multiple-Vehicle Wreck

According to the Miami Herald, a Miami motorcycle police officer died in a crash involving several vehicles on Tuesday afternoon near the Florida International University’s Southwest Dade campus.

Officer Less than Two Years from Retirement

The accident occurred around 1:47 p.m. local time at the intersection of Southwest Eighth Street and 137^th Avenue. Jorge Sanchez, 53, traveled west on Southwest Eighth Street on his way to work when an SUV crashed into his motorcycle.

The rear-end collision pushed Sanchez and his motorcycle into the intersection where oncoming traffic struck him again. According to the Miami Herald, witnesses attempted to save Sanchez’s life but he died at the scene.

Several other vehicles received damage after the initial collision, injuring a dozen people. Many occupants received treatment at a hospital, and two of the crash victims sustained critical injuries. The violent chain reaction event left a car severely damaged and flipped on its side and Sanchez’s motorcycle mangled.

The Miami Herald reports that the massive crash left the intersection in mayhem, taking police hours to determine the number of injured and cars involved in the wreck and to sift through evidence. The police investigation is ongoing.

Sanchez served the police department for 21 years and leaves behind a son, who is also on the police force, a fiancé, another son, and a daughter. The Miami Herald reports that Sanchez had 17 months left to go until he could retire.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

The following information is provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS):

• 4,295 motorcyclists died in crashes in 2014.
  • Ninety-two percent of motorcyclists killed in 2014 were males.
• Helmets are about 37 percent effective in preventing motorcycle deaths and about 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries.
  • Only 19 states and the District of Columbia mandate helmet use by all riders.
• Per mile traveled in 2014, the number of deaths on motorcycles was over 27 times the number in cars.