ONEIDA, Oneida County, Wis., Sept. 20, 2026 — Two motorcyclists suffered serious injuries on Saturday afternoon, September 19, in a crash with a pickup truck at the intersection of US 51 and County L in Oneida County.
The crash happened around 4:22 p.m. A preliminary investigation indicates the motorcycle operators were turning left onto US 51 when they collided with the pickup truck, according to the sheriff's office.
Both motorcyclists were taken to a hospital for treatment. Their conditions have not been released. No fatalities were reported.
The Oneida County Sheriff's Department and the Wisconsin State Patrol responded to the scene, along with local EMS and fire crews. The crash remains under investigation, and authorities have not released further details on the vehicles or the people involved.
We wish the injured a complete and speedy recovery.
A Common Misconception About Left-Turn Motorcycle Crashes
Many drivers assume that if they can see a motorcycle approaching, they will naturally judge its speed and distance the same way they would a car. That assumption does not hold up well. A motorcycle's narrow profile makes it harder for the eye to gauge how fast it is closing, and drivers turning left usually misjudge the gap or simply do not register the bike until it is much closer than expected.
This is not primarily a story about reckless riding. Left-turn collisions at intersections happen because two vehicles of very different sizes are trying to occupy the same space at the same moment, and the smaller one is easier to miss or misread. The result, when a crash does happen, tends to be more severe for the rider than for the occupants of the other vehicle.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the motorcyclist fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled was almost 28 times the passenger-car occupant fatality rate in 2023. That gap exists regardless of who is at fault in a given crash, because a rider has little around them to absorb the force of a collision.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do left-turning vehicles end up colliding with motorcycles?
These crashes sometimes happen when a car or truck turns across an intersection and misjudges the speed or distance of an oncoming motorcycle, or fails to see it at all before starting the turn.
What can drivers do to spot motorcycles more reliably?
Checking twice before turning, scanning specifically for narrower vehicles, and waiting for a clear gap rather than estimating one can help drivers catch motorcycles they might otherwise miss.
What should a rider do immediately after a crash?
Call 911, stay as still as possible until checked by paramedics, and avoid removing a helmet unless trained to do so. Get evaluated at a hospital even if injuries seem minor, since some, like internal injuries, are not obvious right away.
Are intersections a common location for motorcycle crashes?
Yes. Many motorcycle collisions involving another vehicle happen at intersections, usually during turns, because that is where the paths of vehicles cross most directly.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Crash in Oneida, WI
If you witness or are involved in a motorcycle crash, call 911 right away and avoid moving anyone who may have neck or back injuries. Keep the scene as safe as possible by turning on hazard lights and warning oncoming traffic if you can do so safely.
Anyone involved should seek medical evaluation as soon as possible, even if injuries seem minor at first. Adrenaline can mask pain, and some injuries take hours to become apparent. Getting checked promptly also creates a medical record close to the time of the crash, which can matter later.
Cooperate with responding officers and provide an honest account of what you observed. If you are a rider, hold onto any gear you were wearing and photographs of the scene, if you're able, since these details can help investigators piece together what happened.
