Motorcyclist killed when pickup backs out in front of it, GSP says

fatal accident

A two-vehicle collision in Northeast Georgia claimed the life of a motorcyclist.

State troopers worked the fatal crash early Saturday, July 6, north of Athens. The wreck occurred around 1:10 a.m. on GA 8 at Ed Coile Road.

According to the preliminary crash investigation, a Honda motorcycle was traveling north on GA 8 as a Ford Super Duty pickup was backing out of a driveway. The motorcycle struck the passenger side of the truck. The motorcyclist, 51-year-old Steven Hickman of Colbert, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Georgia State Patrol Post 32 in Athens investigated the wreck. Troopers say charges are pending against the truck driver, 20-year-old Mario Gaona of Athens. The investigation is still ongoing.

At least 12 people have died in traffic-related accidents in Georgia since the long Fourth of July holiday weekend began on July 3.