GRANVILLE, Monongalia County, W.Va., Sept. 20, 2026 — A motorcyclist died on Friday evening, September 18, after a crash with a pickup truck near a shopping area in Granville, West Virginia. The Granville Police Department confirmed the death.
Authorities said crews were called around 5:45 p.m. Friday to a two-vehicle crash involving a Ram 1500 pickup truck and a motorcycle near University Town Centre Drive, close to a Chili's restaurant. The motorcyclist, identified by police as 65-year-old William G. Rudash Jr. of Core, West Virginia, was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.
The pickup driver's condition has not been released. Authorities have not said what led up to the crash.
Multiple agencies responded, including the Granville Police Department, the Monongalia County Sheriff's Department, West Virginia State Police, Monongalia County EMS and the Granville Fire Department. The police said the crash remains under investigation and that no further details are being released at this time.
We are deeply sorry for the loss suffered by the victim's family.
Where Motorcycle Crashes With Vehicles Tend to Happen
Motorcycle crashes involving another vehicle usually cluster around commercial corridors like shopping centers, strip malls, and multi-lane arterial roads. These stretches mix frequent turns, driveway entrances, and stop-and-go traffic, all of which create more chances for a car or truck to cross into a motorcycle's path.
Unsignalized entrances and shared parking-lot access points are a particular problem. Drivers pulling out of a lot or turning across traffic may misjudge a motorcycle's speed or simply not see it, since its narrower profile is easier to lose against buildings, signage, and other vehicles nearby.
Time of day matters too. Many of these crashes happen in early evening hours, when traffic volume is high, the sun may be low on the horizon, and drivers are moving between errands, work and home. That combination of glare, congestion, and turning movement raises the odds of a vehicle and motorcycle occupying the same space at the same time.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 34 percent of motorcycle riders in fatal crashes had no valid motorcycle license in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a rider do immediately after a motorcycle crash?
Get to a safe spot away from traffic if possible, call 911, and avoid removing a helmet or moving a hurt rider unless there's immediate danger. Even if injuries seem minor, a medical evaluation is important since some injuries aren't obvious right away.
Do motorcycle crashes happen more usually at intersections and access points?
Yes. Many motorcycle and vehicle collisions occur where a car is turning or crossing a motorcycle's lane, such as intersections, driveways, and parking lot entrances, rather than on open stretches of road.
How much does road surface affect motorcycle safety?
A lot. Gravel, potholes, wet pavement, and painted lane markings all reduce a motorcycle's traction more than they would a car's, making sudden braking or swerving riskier.
What gear actually reduces injury risk for riders?
A DOT-approved helmet, a reinforced jacket and pants, over-the-ankle boots, and gloves all help reduce the severity of head, road rash, and limb injuries in a crash.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Crash in Granville, WV
If you're involved in or witness a motorcycle crash in Granville, call 911 right away and stay out of moving traffic. Note what you can, including the time, location, and any other vehicles involved, since these details help responding officers piece together what happened.
Anyone involved, even without visible injury, should get checked by a medical provider soon after. Adrenaline can mask pain from fractures, internal injuries, or head trauma for hours. Keep any paperwork from police or medical visits, since it may be needed later for insurance or reporting purposes.
