Deadly Tennessee Motorcycle Crash Kills Teenager Girl

A deadly Bradley County motorcycle crash left a teenage girl dead and the police searching for a witness to the accident. Jordan Best, 18, of Columbus, Ohio, was killed on Springplace Road on Wednesday, February 15, 2012.

The young woman was a passenger on a bike driven by 43-year-old Marty R. Sandidge, of Shope Road. Best died after being rushed to Skyridge Medical Center, while Sandidge was flown by LifeForce helicopter to Erlanger Hospital, where he was listed in fair condition. There is no suspicion of alcohol involvement in the accident at this time.

The motorcycle driver, Sandidge, reportedly flew off the bike and landed near a fence. Best hit a telephone pole, causing her death. No charges have been filed at this time.

According to police investigators, the crash occurred when the motorcycle attempted to pass two passenger cars. Officials say that the bike hit the car when one of the cars turned left into a driveway. The occupants of that car, Michael Babb, who was driving, and his fiancé, Kristina Casteel, were interviewed by WRCB television after the accident.

Casteel recalls, “There was no oncoming traffic; we went to take a turn. We were almost in the driveway and we heard a bam.” She said speeding was a problem on this road and hoped that the County would enforce the speed limit more strictly and paint a double yellow line there.

Driver Babb added, “All I remember hearing is like a thump. And the next thing I know, we were skidding into the ditch.” Babb added that he had activated his blinker in plenty of time to give notice that he was turning.

The second car, only described as white, left the scene without giving any information. Police are actively searching for the driver of this car to help complete the investigation. This was the second traffic death in Bradley County this year.

The Memphis motorcycle accident attorneys at Bailey & Greer extend their deepest sympathies to Jordan Best’s family and friends.