Speeding Motorcyclist Dies After Rear-ending SUV In Tucson

TUCSON, AZ — A Tucson motorcyclist speeding through the intersection of Kolb Road and Vernice Street in Tucson Saturday rear-ended an SUV, then ended up dead even though he wore a helmet.

Around 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Tucson police officers were called to S. Kolb Road and E. Vernice Street because of a reported serious injury crash of an SUV and a motorcycle. Tucson Fire medics took the motorcyclist, John Woodward, 32, to Banner University Medical Center, where he died a short time later, police reported.

Tucson police traffic detectives then arrived at the accident's scene to examine roadway evidence and conduct interviews. After doing so, they determined that Woodward had been speeding as he entered the intersection headed south in Kolb Road’s curb lane. At the same time, the SUV was headed east on Vernice Street. After stopping at the Kolb Road stop sign, the SUV driver made a right turn into southbound Kolb Road’s curb lane and was rear-ended by the motorcycle.

After the accident, the SUV driver stopped and cooperated with Tucson police.

No citations or charges have been issued, and the investigation is still underway.