UPDATE: Motorcyclist Killed in Head-On Morning Collision

Notafingclue October 28, 2012 at 06:10 pm

I drive a tractor trailer for a living and a Harley Davidson back and forth to work on nice days, if we must ban anybody, lets ban sportsbikes, and anybody caught texting or talking on the cell phone while driving.

NattyMo October 28, 2012 at 09:42 pm

@ M. Yachimowicz, The person above who was passed on the double yellow on Tuffton Ave. With all due respect, you failed to mention that the area where the pass happened is over 3 miles from, and well out of sight of the accident location. Not to support such a pass or the alleged speed but that does not prove the accident victim was riding in that manner when the accident happened. Or that the rider who made the pass in question was in fact the same rider involved in the accident. Tuffton intersects Falls Rd. and becomes Shawan. This happens to be a very popular motorcycle junction. The victim wore a black leather jacket on a blue sport bike, a very common combination. All things to consider prior to posting your account of the accident events you did not witness. Yes this is a tragic accident and as always many will be affected, No one more so than my friend and his wife.
The police state he lost control for an 'unknown reason'. Not that speed was involved or that he was riding in a reckless fashion. Could he have been? Maybe; But having been on a ride with him I doubt it, he knew that intersection; it's not the place to carry much speed. I wasn’t there anymore than the rest of you were. I can tell you first hand that there are many reasons a vehicle can cross the double yellow accidently that don’t involve reckless behavior. A few years ago I was knocked into the oncoming lane across the double yellow by a deer broadsiding me for example.

NattyMo October 28, 2012 at 09:44 pm

All this talk of banning motorcycles is very short sighted. Consider energy may well not be so abundant in years to come. We may not always be able to add more lanes to highways to accommodate more and more people wanting to indulge in single person auto transport. Personally I’d like to see everyone on bicycles or using public transport. We would be equally vulnerable and avoid many of the problems associated with motorized transport. How about that for a deal? Let’s ban all personal motorized transport. I’d happily give up my motorcycle and SUV to reach that goal, would you give up your car/truck? Didn’t think so… This is an awful event for all involved. No need for the soap box BS. It doesn’t help one bit.

NattyMo October 28, 2012 at 09:59 pm

I’m no expert and I don’t play one on the internet.
I do know this: My friend is dead, yes I knew the rider in question. He was an amazing person. If you had the chance to meet him I would hope many of you would have the dignity not to post some of the ignorant comments I've read here. He wasn’t a kid or having a mid-life crisis, nor was he dumb or reckless as some have suggested. He embraced life, had many passions was a warm hearted, caring, thoughtful person. Had he survived I’m sure he would be at the bedside of the other victims of this accident feeling awful that this accident lead to their misfortune. As it is he has paid the highest price for his choices. @Kathy M, I am deeply saddened that your family has been impacted by this accident. You and your family have my prayers. Having been hit by other drivers more than once myself I know firsthand the devastation vehicle accidents of any sort can cause. I am deeply saddened to hear of your families suffering.

FIFA October 28, 2012 at 10:18 pm

I am always amazed by the number of first time posters that find the Patch when someone dies tragically. It really is bizarre.

Ron Stahl October 28, 2012 at 10:52 pm

One of my friends was a first responder to the scene. I feel bad for all involved. Many people will be effected for years if not for life. It was the riders fault and he was (no matter what you want to believe) traveling at a high rate of speed. His bike was broken in half and he was inside the cabin of the SUV. A man is dead, a family of four all injured and lots of pain and suffering for families and friends. The motorcycle was not the cause, speed and physics would have caused an even worse event had he been driving another SUV.

Matt Eller October 29, 2012 at 12:47 am

@M.Yachimowicz. I was stopped at the light before the curve and watched as the motorcycle passed me in the turn lane and then proceeded to run the red light. After seeing the wreckage several seconds later I would agree with you that I will never forget what I saw. This is a terrible tragedy but one that could have been avoided with responsible motorcycle motorcycle operation.

FIFA October 29, 2012 at 12:54 am

There are at least 4 posters on this thread that are first time posters. Absurd. Sick things called humans. Probably same person.

FIFA October 29, 2012 at 12:56 am

Including you as another first time poster.

Jamin geoghegan October 29, 2012 at 01:23 am

Hey fifa, I'm a first time poster and am doing so to let you know that you sound like you're as much of a douche as mike fisher! Why don't you two fairies keep your happy little opinions out of the motorcycle world, you don't belong here, and respect my brother of the road's demise? Go inject your powdered noses into a story on your
level.

Mike Fisher October 29, 2012 at 01:28 am

Oh stuff it. I said nothing about the rider of the bike personally, so just take your high and mighty attitude somewhere else. Name calling and judging people you know nothing about only makes you look like a fool, not me.

FIFA October 29, 2012 at 01:31 am

Ditto. Join the group Jamin. Heckuva a name you got there. When did you make that one up?

Evets October 29, 2012 at 01:31 am

You mean, they look like they just came out of prison to beat the Redskins. Bad uniforms, but they looked pretty good otherwise. Just one game behind the Ravens! Go Steelers!!!!!!!!!

FIFA October 29, 2012 at 01:33 am

You need a bus painted that way to go to school. Ugh.

Ed in Miami October 29, 2012 at 08:07 pm

I love riding. It's great fun and a wonderful way to see the country. It can be made safer by adopting survival strategies, such as defensive riding, safety equiptment, hi-viz clothing, etc, etc. Holding down the speed contributes greatly to improving your odds riding. But it cannot be made safe. That should be obvious to all.

Dawn Hahn October 29, 2012 at 10:33 pm

I was thrown off of a Harley do to a police officers bad judgement while directing traffic. I cannot use my hands anymore and suffer everyday from this accident. There are good and bad in everything and everyone. Lots of times it is automobile not seeing cyclist and vice versa. Everyone needs to slow and respect other drivers on the road. This is such a horrific situation. Noone knows y he went out of control. Maybe something flew in his eye. The most that matters is that a person whom had people who deeply loved him and are grieving from such a terrible senseless loss!!! God Bless all that we're affected and especially the person and his family!!!! Let's all learn from this!!! RIP Beautiful Ange! ❤

John Dirtman October 30, 2012 at 03:04 am

only slow minded people will beleive that what you say is true. How do we now you are not just some crack pot making up lies.
once again, how many miles away from the crash was your alleged incidence. and at what exact time before the crash. just what is it makes you so sure that the motorcycle you saw was the same motorcycle.

John Dirtman October 30, 2012 at 03:10 am

please tell me that you are not socialist/communist that want put an end to all our freedoms in the name of protecting us from our selves. Life is dangerous. People like you that already drive too slow in the fast lane always want to lower the speed limit each and every time some one dies. What else what you geniuses like to ban next.
Bet you are also for banning guns so that only criminals can have them. How about books or video games that are causing all these little hoodlum future generation to be so violent. How about we ban them too. Children have lots of germs, how about we ban children from being allowed in public places.

Nick DiMarco (Editor) October 30, 2012 at 04:13 pm

Read the update here: http://patch.com/A-zgdF - ND

Bruce Robinson October 30, 2012 at 05:57 pm

The reports that were used for data in the study do not differentiate which vehicle was responsible for the behavior identified. A vehicle turning left in front of a motorcycle is: risky behavior; frontal crash; alcohol involved. helmet use is a matter of state law and varies.
Motorcycle expense has had the greatest impact on sales. Maturity more often brings greater financial resources and disposable income. Motorcycling is a community activity, attracting people of similar socio-economic groups. Motorcycle usage has actually grown in recent years, and rider training is becoming increasingly available and socially acceptable. For many decades, training was looked down on by adults who equated motorcycle riding as merely driving a powered bicycle. Recognition by my the motorcycling public that there are increased risks over automobile operation, and acceptance of changes in our vision and motor skills that come with age. Knowledge and experience, gained in controlled environments, eases the impact of both on real performance.

Bruce Robinson October 30, 2012 at 05:58 pm

The sponsoring organization was started in 2007 to study European transportation issues. They have not studied European motorcycle safety. Neither the authors or the organization are held in high international regard, although their acceptance in their parent organization is complete.
Motorcycle Safety professionals in this country are looking forward to the release of the first study of motorcycle accident cause factors since the early 1970's.

Ali October 30, 2012 at 08:53 pm

So many positive comments such as Dawn's, but lots of sour words bantering back and forth as well...lets not argue. If all of those comments were prayers said instead, what a marvelous thing that would be! A life is lost, 4 others highly impacted and many more affected. Please pray....

Adam Yamada-Hanff October 30, 2012 at 09:52 pm

Jack was always a careful rider and had never been in a motorcycle accident in the 40+ years he was riding. He was a very enthusiastic and passionate about safe riding and I doubt he was doing anything dangerous. He would never ride in bad weather or unsafe conditions. He gave sportbike riders a good name. He was someone I wanted to learn to ride from, but now won't have a chance to.
@Kathy M - I wish that your family recovers quickly. I hope you know that Jack was a very kind person. @NattyMo - I am glad another friend of Jack's posted here and stood-up for him.

Jamie October 30, 2012 at 10:15 pm

I whitnessed the accident and it shook me to my core. I have continually prayed for those involved and those affected from this awful tradegy. I am sorry <3

Anony123 November 2, 2012 at 04:48 pm

@ Nattymo
While I sympathize with the loss of your friend, and realize that the recorded reason for him crossing the yellow is "unknown", you can't seriously say that after multiple people have stated that he was driving recklessly previous to the accident that he wasn't. Having many friends who have bikes, I know that the riders out there that are into recklessly driving, speeding excessively, weaving through traffic, endos, wheelies, etc etc, rarely go out and refrain from driving like idiots. Granted we will probably never "know" what caused him to cross the lines, but my gut tells me he was probably driving stupid. I've heard from reliable sources the guy had a disease that is easily transmittable, how responsible is a person who knows they have something like that and decides to drive around like a moron. I'm definitely sorry for your loss and the suffering that all involved have to go through from the accident, but honestly if anyone involved that survived, or attended to the accident (police, fire, emt, etc etc) were to contract anything, I think the anger those people have from that would be totally justifiable and the social irresponsibility of your friend was ridiculous.

Diane Seals November 9, 2012 at 01:37 am

It is strange that the mother, mother-in-law, grandmother is on here posting rather than getting to the hospital to be with her family. Wonder where the priorities are.

Freedomfriend November 11, 2012 at 05:51 am

Jamie, Have you given your eye-witness account of the accident to the police? If not, they’re asking for witnesses to come forth. I’m very sorry that you had to see something so horrific. You and all involved are in my thoughts and prayers. My sister was killed on the JFX on her motorcycle when she lost control of her bike and slammed into & flipped over the jersey wall. The man that was riding beside her (& saw it happen) was severely traumatized and afraid to return to the scene of the accident to help her. He did go back, and I was thankful to have had the opportunity to connect with him and hear about what he witnessed in her last moments, as it gave me some sense of closure. I'm hoping the results of the investigation will bring much-needed answers (an end to all of the speculations) and some closure to the families involved.

Katy Peters-Rodbell November 11, 2012 at 02:48 pm

FIFA, you seem to think that YOU have some kind of special right to post her because you have posted before. Well, I'd rather hear from people who were near the scene of the accident, knew the people involved, etc. than hear your blah, blah, blah...Go away.

Katy Peters-Rodbell November 11, 2012 at 02:51 pm

Diane, so strange that you would make this comment. What's your point? I think that the mother/grandmother has plenty to say and I value her comment, yours...not so much. It would be unreasonable to think that she would spend every second of every day sitting in the hospital and never checking her phone or computer. Go back under your rock.

John November 11, 2012 at 03:07 pm

I believe the priority is to thank people for their thoughts and prayers for the family injured by a careless motorcycle driver. I agree with Diane's comments and her suggestion about you getting back under your rock.