Motorcyclist Dies Trying To Avoid Stalled Car In South Austin

SOUTH AUSTIN, TX — A motorcylist died this week after attempting to avoid a stalled car on a South Austin street.

The incident occurred on Tuesday just before 5:10 p.m. along the 6000 block of East Stassney Lane, according to a police advisory. A police investigation showed that an unattended white, 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe was stalled in the outside lane of westbound traffic on East Stassney Lane when a motorcyclist driving a black, 2016 Indian Scout bike approached.

The motorcyclist, police said, attempted to swerve around the disabled car but struck the back left corner of the vehicle. Police said this caused the motorcyclist to crash before being taken to St. David's South Austin Medical Center Hospital, where he was pronounced dead just before 6:20 p.m.

The motorcyclist was identified by police as Graham Blake Tillerson. He was 28 years old, according to the police advisory.

As police continue to investigate, they ask anyone with information to contact detectives at (512) 974-6935. Tips also can be submitted by downloading the police department's mobile app, Austin PD, for free on iPhone and Android.

The incident marked Austin’s 65th fatal traffic crash of 2020, police said, resulting in 70 fatalities this year. At this time in 2019, police added, there were 67 traffic fatalities.