A Thursday night fatality in front of a local manufacturing facility has claimed the life of a Martin man.
According to a press release issued by the Martin Police Department, a two-vehicle accident that occurred shortly after 9 p.m. Thursday has claimed the life of 40-year-old Barry Gardner.
An accident report cites Gardner was driving north on Industrial Park Drive in front of MTD Products in Martin when his 2004 Harley Davidson motorcycle collided with a 2012 Dodge pickup driven by 34-year-old Timothy Rhodes of Dresden.
Rhodes said he noticed the motorcycle before he pulled out of the north exit of the parking lot at MTD and attempted to turn south onto Industrial Park Drive, according to the report.
Rhodes said Gardner’s vehicle was far enough away that he should have been able to safely pull out.
The road conditions were wet at the time of the crash.
When officers arrived on the scene, Gardner’s motorcycle was pinned under Rhodes’ truck and Gardner was approximately 20 feet from the collision, according to the report.
Services for Gardner were held Monday. For his complete obituary, see Page 6.
The accident remains under investigation.

WCP 7.31.12