Kevin Oates’ motorcycle hit by Mazda SUV that failed to yield at College and Gordon Road
September 08, 2025 | Wilmington, NC
Kevin Oates, 20, died after a motorcycle accident Monday night in Wilmington, New Hanover County.
According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Oates’ motorcycle collided with a Mazda SUV near College and Gordon Road when the SUV failed to yield around 8 p.m.
A 20-year-old man was killed Monday night when his motorcycle collided with an SUV near College and Gordon Road in Wilmington.
Oates was transported to Novant New Hanover Regional Medical Center, where he later passed away. Authorities said the Mazda driver faces charges of failure to yield and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle.
MOTORCYCLE CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
When a driver has the right-of-way, other motorists must yield to them, allowing them safe passage through an intersection.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), failure-to-yield crashes are the most common kind of motorcycle accident.
They are often the result of an error on the part of drivers. In many instances, a motorist may be distracted or not understand which vehicle has the right of way at an intersection.
The untimely death of Mr. Oates, who had his entire life ahead of him, underscores the dangers that motorcyclists face each day in the U.S.
Over 6,000 motorcyclists were killed on American roads in 2022, police said, citing National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data. Those crashes represented 15% of fatal crashes in that year. In 2017, motorcyclists were 27 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash per vehicle mile traveled.
Candice Bond, an experienced motorcycle accident attorney, noted that in cases such as this, it is imperative to have an independent investigation into the crash conducted by a seasoned lawyer to protect a victim's rights.
"Motorcyclists are arguably the most vulnerable motorists on the road, and several factors can play a role in fatal crashes," said Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal.
"Blind spots, inexperienced drivers, and distracted motorists often cause these types of collisions. An attorney has the resources to hire expert witnesses, conduct drivers' background checks, locate witnesses to the crash, and review applicable insurance coverage while carefully guiding an injured victim through the legal process and vigorously protecting their best interests," said Bond, who is a national legal analyst for Newsline.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the outcome of the investigation, the family of Kevin Oates may be entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim to recover funeral expenses and compensation for the loss of love and companionship.
Following a tragic accident, an attorney can provide guidance, support, and legal counsel. It is essential for the victim’s family to contact an experienced wrongful death attorney to ensure their rights are protected.
“Family members of wrongful death victims can seek damages for loss of companionship, emotional suffering, and pain following a catastrophic accident such as this,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal.
“Losing a loved one is an immeasurable loss—both emotionally and financially. Families should take immediate steps to protect their legal rights and hire an attorney who can advocate on their behalf and pursue fair compensation,” Bond added.
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Newsline - is your trusted source for legal news and accident reports, delivering timely updates to keep you informed.
Candice Bond, national legal analyst for Newsline, is skilled in handling motorcycle accident cases. Contact her for a free consultation if you or a loved one needs legal guidance.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).