The man, Tommy Earl White, 21, was not a University student. According to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner, White died from multiple blunt force injuries.

White, of St. Louis Park, and the semi were driving westbound on University Avenue Southeast when the truck turned right at Malcolm Avenue Southeast and White appeared to hit the side of the truck, according to Minneapolis police.

Minneapolis police spokesman Sgt. Jesse Garcia said it looked as though White tried to outrun the semitrailer, which swung left to make a wide right turn.

"In a semi-motorcycle accident, the bigger vehicle is always going to come out on top," Garcia said.

White was not wearing a helmet.

University Police Chief Greg Hestness said he often observes "careless behaviors" by scooter riders around campus.

"They're a great option, great for getting around campus," he said, "but you don't have much protection on a mo-ped."

Hestness said he has observed that many scooter-riding students do not wear helmets.

"[They] probably haven't thought through the risk to themselves," he said.