By Scottsbluff Police Department
SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. - On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at approximately 5:11 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1800 block of Broadway in response to a motorcycle vs. vehicle accident.
Surveillance video showed that a southbound 2004 Yamaha motorcycle, ridden by 22-year-old Scottsbluff-native Mason Meloney, failed to yield to a grey 2011 Subaru Outback that was backing out of a parking stall on Broadway. The Subaru was driven by 29-year-old Robert Garcia. The rider of the motorcycle was transported to RWMC with what are suspected to be minor injuries. Citations for this investigation are pending as of this press release.
For clarification of the motorcycle helmet law in Nebraska, please refer to the following regarding Nebraska Revised Statute 60-6,279:
(1) A person shall not operate a motorcycle or moped on any highway in this state unless such person is:
(a) Wearing a protective helmet of the type and design manufactured for use by operators of such vehicles and unless such helmet is secured properly on the user's head with a chin strap while the vehicle is in motion. All such protective helmets shall be designed to reduce injuries to the user resulting from head impacts and shall be designed to protect the user by remaining on the user's head, deflecting blows, resisting penetration and spreading the force of impact. Each such helmet shall consist of lining, padding and chin strap and shall meet or exceed the standards established in the United States Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218, 49 C.F.R. 571.218, for motorcycle helmets; or
(b)(i) At least twenty-one years of age; and
(ii)(A) Has a Nebraska Class M license and received such Class M license prior to May 1, 2024, and has completed the Motorcycle Safety Foundation three-hour Basic eCourse and submitted proof of such completion to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Proof of such completion shall be in a manner approved by the department;
(B) Has a Nebraska Class M license and received such Class M license on or after May 1, 2024, and has completed the basic motorcycle safety course as provided in the Motorcycle Safety Education Act and submitted proof of such completion to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Proof of such completion shall be in a manner approved by the department; or
(C) Has a license to operate a motorcycle issued by another state.
(2) A person shall not be a passenger on a motorcycle or moped on any highway in this state unless:
(a) Such person is wearing a protective helmet described in subdivision (1)(a) of this section; or
(b)(i) Such person is at least twenty-one years of age; and
(ii) The person operating the motorcycle or moped is a person described in subdivision (1)(b) of this section.
(3) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall modify the existing system of the department by January 1, 2024, to allow the date of completion of such course to be recorded on the person's record provided for in section 60-483.
(4) A person shall not operate a motorcycle or moped on any highway in this state unless such person employs one of the following forms of eye protection: (a) Glasses that cover the orbital region of the person's face, (b) a protective face shield attached to a protective helmet, (c) goggles, or (d) a windshield on the motorcycle or moped that protects the operator's and passenger's horizontal line of vision in all operating positions.