Authorities in Roanoke are still working to understand the details of a tragic crash that claimed the life of 56-year-old Timothy Harrison earlier this month. The Roanoke Police Department says the incident remains under review by its Major Crash Team, which handles serious traffic cases and works to determine what caused them and whether any safety concerns need to be addressed. The crash has left many in the community shaken as investigators continue piecing together the events of that morning.
The collision happened on November 5, shortly before 8:30 a.m., at the intersection of 5th Street and Elm Avenue SW—an area that often sees heavy traffic during morning hours. Emergency crews rushed to the scene after reports came in about a crash involving a moped and a Ford F-150 pickup truck. When first responders arrived, they found Harrison suffering from life-threatening injuries. He was immediately given medical care before being taken to a nearby hospital for further treatment.
Despite the efforts of doctors and nurses, Harrison’s condition did not improve. He passed away three days later, on November 8, leaving his family, friends, and the wider Roanoke community grieving his loss. Police later confirmed his identity and offered their condolences as they continued their review of the circumstances surrounding the crash. His passing has sparked renewed conversations about road safety in busy intersections like 5th Street and Elm Avenue SW.
According to early findings from investigators, Harrison was traveling north on 5th Street SW on his moped. It appears the moped entered the intersection during a red light. At the same time, the Ford F-150 was heading east on Elm Avenue SW and proceeded into the intersection with a green light. The two vehicles collided, leading to the severe injuries that ultimately proved fatal. Police stress that these details are part of a preliminary review and may be adjusted as new information comes in.
The Major Crash Team is now carefully examining all aspects of the incident. Detectives are reviewing any available video footage, looking at road conditions, speaking with witnesses, and analyzing the movements of both vehicles. This type of investigation often takes time, as officers must verify each detail to ensure the final report is accurate and complete. So far, no information has been released about the pickup truck driver, and police say no signs of impairment have been found.
While the investigation continues, authorities are reminding all road users to stay alert, follow traffic signals, and approach intersections with caution. Police are also asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has video from the area to come forward. As Roanoke mourns the loss of Timothy Harrison, the community hopes the findings of this investigation will help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
