Police Release Details On City's 21st Traffic Fatality That Occurred In South Austin

SOUTH AUSTIN, TX -- Police this week released details on the city's 21st traffic fatality -- a grim tally logged by law enforcement that illustrated a record level of road deaths topping 100 last year.

The fatality also happened to involved a motorcyclist, coming days before transportation officials launch a statewide safety awareness campaign alerting motorists to those traveling on two wheels.

The most recent traffic fatality occurred in the early morning hours of last Saturday (April 21), at about 6 a.m. in the the 1600 block of Royal Crest Drive. The dead motorcyclist was a 31-year-old white male.

A preliminary investigation showed that a 2016 black Harley-Davidson Road Glide motorcycle was traveling southbound on Royal Crest Drive when the driver lost control. He struck the west curb and left the roadway, striking a wooden utility pole.

The motorcycle then made impact with a white Honda Civic that was legally stopped on the side of the road its hazard lights flashing.

The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police noted the man on the Harley had a valid motorcycle license and was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. However, the helmet wasn't strapped and secured, they added.

The case is still being investigated. Members of the public with any information on the collision are asked to call police at (512) 974-8255.