Mentz, NY (May 12, 2026) – One man died after a crash involving two motorcycles and a car in Cayuga County on Monday, May 11. The collision happened at State Route 31 and Brutus Mentz Townline Road in the town of Mentz.
Officials said two motorcycles were traveling west on State Route 31 when they collided with the side of a car at the intersection. Both motorcyclists were taken by air to Upstate University Hospital with serious injuries.
One rider, 35-year-old Branden Paradise of Lyons, later died at the hospital. The other rider, 36-year-old Matthew Hockenbruckner, also of Lyons, remained hospitalized.
The car driver was taken to Auburn Community Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Officials said there was no indication that alcohol or drugs were factors. The crash remains under investigation. Additional details may become available as authorities continue their review.
Our condolences go out to Branden Paradise’s loved ones, and we wish those injured a speedy recovery.
Why Motorcycle Crashes at Intersections Can Be Severe
Motorcycle crashes at intersections can lead to serious injuries because riders have far less protection than people inside cars, where occupants are surrounded by a frame, airbags, and seatbelts. Motorcyclists, in the other and, are fully exposed to the force of impact. A side-impact collision can throw a rider and cause trauma to the head, chest, spine, or legs, and even a low-speed crash can result in significant harm when a rider makes contact with the pavement or another vehicle.
Intersections can be especially risky when vehicles enter or cross a main road. Drivers and riders may need to judge speed, distance, and turning movements in a short amount of time, leaving little room for error. Motorcycles can also be harder to see because they are smaller than other vehicles and can be obscured by blind spots, other traffic, or roadside obstacles. Drivers making left turns across oncoming traffic are a particularly common cause of serious motorcycle collisions at intersections.
After a motorcycle crash, hospital care may focus on internal injuries, broken bones, and head trauma. Even when a rider is wearing a helmet and protective gear, the impact forces involved in an intersection collision can cause injuries that are not immediately visible. Serious injuries can require emergency treatment, surgery, or long-term recovery, and some riders face lasting consequences such as chronic pain, reduced mobility, or neurological damage that affect their quality of life well beyond the initial accident.
