RALEIGH, N.C. - SEE UPDATE BELOW - A tragic accident occurred on July 4, 2012 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The collision involved a logging truck and a bicycle. Unfortunately, the bicycle rider, Mr. Steven Jordan, died of his injuries at the scene. The fatal accident occurred during the afternoon hours on Louisburg Road in Raleigh. According to news account, Steven Jordan's bicycle was struck by an empty logging truck. The cause of the accident is still being investigated by Raleigh Police.

For the news account of this incident, visit:

http://www.witn.com/news/headlines/Director_Of_State_Mental_Health_Division_Died_In_Crash_161406885.html?ref=885

For information about the rights of victims of commercial truck accidents, visit www.carolinatrucklawyer.com.

UPDATE - Raleigh, N.C. - Raleigh Police have cited the driver of the logging truck with causing the tragic fatal accident involving a well known Raleigh resident. The commercial driver, Clifton Paul Ellis Jr., 28, of 1715 Richardson Bass Road in Kenly, was charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle and failure to reduce speed to avoid a collision. The charges were leveled on Thursday at the conclusion of the crash investigation.

There has been a large public response to this accident because the victim was an avid cyclist who was doing absolutely nothing wrong when he was struck and killed by the truck driver. The victim, Mr. Steven Laverne Jordan, 49, was the head of North Carolina's mental health services. Investigators confirm that Mr. Jordan was lawfully proceeding in the right northbound lane of Louisburg Road just north of Perry Creek Road when he was suddenly struck from behind by the truck driver. It has not been reported whether the truck driver was fatigued, using a cell phone or otherwise distracted, or whether alcohol or drug impairment was a factor in this fatal bicycle accident. Clearly, the truck driver was not paying attention as he had every opportunity to see and avoid the bicycle rider who was riding directly ahead of the logging truck as it approached from the rear. It does appear that, at some point, the truck driver may have noticed the bicycle rider and attempted to shift over and pass. Unfortunately, truck driver Ellis did not shift far enough to the left to safely pass Steven Jordan, and the resulting collision resulted in a tragic loss of life for the Jordan family and Raleigh's medical community.

According to the DMV-349 collision investigation report, Mr. Jordan was thrown more than 50 feet after being struck by the truck. The police report also indicated that, at the time of the collision into the bicycle and rider, the truck was traveling well below the speed limit, approximately 35 mph in a 50-mph zone.

Steven Jordan's colleagues indicated that he loved cycling, and they noted that "from a hobby standpoint, he died doing what he loved. He loved cycling." Mr. Jordan had been the director of the North Carolina Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services since 2010.

He previously served as the state director of ResCare-North Carolina, where he managed programs for people with disabilities, and he worked with the North Carolina MENTOR program, which provides behavioral health services for at-risk youth.

"Steve's extensive background in community-based care for individuals with developmental disabilities made him an excellent leader for our transition to a new model for behavioral health care in North Carolina," Al Delia, acting secretary of the state Department of Health and Human Services, said in a statement. "He had a passion for his work and for the people we serve, and he will be sorely missed."

For the most recent news accounts including further interviews from Steven Jordan's colleagues and coworkers, visit http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/11282733/