Too any Motorcycle riders! please be safe!

[HutSiteDigger]

Last night I was on scene of probably one of the most nasty hit and run accidents I have seen in a-while. Here is a short story of it:

Virginia State Police are searching for a man wanted for two felony counts of hit and run involving a crash that killed two Spotsylvania County in Louisa County.

According to State Police Sgt. Thomas Molnar, troopers responded to the intersection of Zachary Taylor Highway and Days Bridge Road for a crash around 9:30 p.m. Saturday night.

Molnar said the driver of a 2003 GMC Savana 3500 Van struck the rear of a 1988 Kawasaki 1000 motorcycle. The male motorcyclist and his female passenger were ejected from the motorcycle and both struck by the van as it fled. They both died at the scene, he said.

Police have identified the motorcyclist as 50-year-old Oneal F. Newman of the 12000 block Plantation Drive in Spotsylvania, and his passenger as 53-year-old Joyce A. Herriot of the 8000 block Lawyers Road in Spotsylvania.

The van continued traveling southbound on State Route 522 before it broke down and the driver fled on foot into a wooded area, Molnar said. A search of the area was conducted by the State Police with assistance from the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office.

Based on the trooper’s investigation, the driver of the van at the time of the crash was identified as 30-year-old Kenneth G. Wadford of the 2000 block Anderson Highway in Cumberland County.

Please be-careful. Even though you are the best rider and doing everything correctly it doesn't take but one idiot to ruin your day. Texting,Driving while on drugs/alcohol, or just not knowing how too drive and failure too check blind spots while their music is pumped up too the point they can't hear you beside them. I know lot here like to ride and the way this fast pace world is today people are driving like zombies! Happy riding and always be safe!

 

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[TheHarleyMan2]

Sad and very ture to be aware of your surroundings on a motorcycle! I hope they fry the driver of the truck!!

What most riders don't do is BE FULLY AWARE of ALL their surroundings. I know when riding it becomes peaceful and pretty much enjoyment of the scenery. I have always been a defensive and offensive driver/rider. I NEVER let a car ride next to me, I am constantly looking around and I am ALWAYS looking in my mirrors to keep cars from getting closer than 3 car lengths behind me.

I know I like the scenery, especially out in the country when I am just the only one on the road, but I spend more time looking around behind me in my mirrors, side roads or driveways, and oncoming traffic to take evasive action if need be!

I was leaving teh house last weekend to go to the ROT rally and I was on a 5 lane road in town and some smuck pulled right out in front of me, saw me and stopped, (I know he did this to at least have me make a manuever to evade him), and I had to lock my brakes, almost skidded sideways, barely missed his rear bumper by 2 feet! I emmediately turned around after he saw I had control, I sped up and cought up to him and of course I get up along side of him and he rolls his window down saying he didn't see me coming around the curve and he was sorry! The curve is a gradual curve so there was NO WAY he didn't see me in broad day light and I was the only vehicle going my way for 100s of feet.

Well as I noticed he rolled his wondow down he had about a 10 year old boy in his Harley Davidson truck. I told him nice truck, then I asked him if he rode or had a motorcycle and of course the answer was NO and he was appologetic again. I told him people who don't ride or have a Harley generally buys Harley Davidson Edition Ford trucks and window stickers for people to think they ride. I told him it figures someone would buy a Harley Davidson Edition truck and not even ride!

Truth of the matter was I was ready to yank him out of his truck and beat the tar out of him until I saw his kid in the truck! His kid just saved his dad from broken bones and a trip to the hospital!!

 

[TerryC]

Nice write-up, Hut. I was a traffic cop for Milwaukee, WI. I rode a Harley. During training, the Sgt said "Always drive (your cycle) like everyone is out to get you". As true today as when he said it in '70. Tnx. TTC

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

I saw a guy on a crotch rocket 50mph, an texting on his phone...

what a idiot...
been a rider since '71, finally sold my bikes....to avoid Arizona drivers...

 

[TheHarleyMan2]

Nice write-up, Hut. I was a traffic cop for Milwaukee, WI. I rode a Harley. During training, the Sgt said "Always drive (your cycle) like everyone is out to get you". As true today as when he said it in '70. Tnx. TTC

Talk about SO TRUE!!!!!!

 

[63bkpkr]

Like Terry C. related!!

The first time I lived in Phoenix - one evening I was out for a walk noticed some lights and sounds so checked it out. A little old white haired guy/gal had just run over a motorcyclist. As I was standing there the Life Flight Chopper landed and took this hunk of balled up flesh to the hospital. I checked later and he never made it. AZ is a bad place for motorcycle riders especially in the winter months.

I've had several emergency situations where I've needed to do something NOW or not live to regret it. So far my bikes and I have never gone down in traffic or on a ride. Been down a couple of dozen times at from 0-0.5 miles per hour usually over loaded or gravel surface or both or took off from a dead stop put both feet up and killed the engine, Dang!!

Yes any rider must be responsible for everyone including themselves........................63bkpkr

Oh, the Kawi Concours is in the tune up shop for a complete look see from end to end including a set of new Metzlers. The insurance package is good as of 01 July 2013 with license and registration to follow. Keep um shinny side up fellas and gals!

 

[myfantasia1]

Last year my Husband and Daughter were riding because it was Father's Day and her Birthday. They were on the highway going 65 and this idiot merged into them without even looking and clipped his mirror and my Daughters leg, made him go into a wobble for about a 1/2 mile. (I don't know how he stayed up) of course he caught up with him and the guy pulled over, my husband yelled at him that he was lucky he didn't kill them. The guy got smart to him so my husband reached in and slammed his visor into his face. He decided then that he should say sorry.

 

[lawrence_1md]

I see this everyday as a rider and in highway maintenance worker.

You would think the zombies would see the 3 four foot orange signs warning them (men working, one lane ahead and flagged ahead), the big orange truck with flashing lights or me with the reflective vest on. Sadly they don't!

If I had a quarter for every time someone locked up their brakes, drove through the stopped sign, drove through talking on the cell phone, putting makeup on, reading a news paper or playing on their laptop, I'd have more money than I find metal detecting.

Happy hunting and safe driving.

 

[TerryC]

There are two kinds of motorcyclists... those that have had their accident.... and those that will. TTC

 

[Tnmountains]

I had a lady pull right out in front of me the other day. I locked it up. She stopped over half way across the lane as I slid towards her. I got off the brakes and shot by her and the curb. If she had not of stopped I would have hit her. Happened so fast you do not even think of the horn as you are trying to handle the bike. All you can do is look for an out Grrr. My biggest fear is looking in my mirror and seeing someone barreling down on me. Got dumped like that once and trashed the bike. Lucky.
I hope they catch that guy quick. Very sad. Be safe out there. The advice that everyone is trying to hit you is so true so ride that way.When I ride at night I turn on my boogey led lights on the engine and frame so I can be seen sideways.
Thanks Hut.
HH

 

[rock]

So many speed here its crazy. There is no place to be in a hurry to go in this tiny town. No Malls or anything like that here. Bet yet they tail ya if your not speeding. I saw a woman the other day on her cell pull between 2 cars and run rite into another car in the other lane while she was trying to make a left in the wrong lane. Sometimes it just makes you stop and ask yourself WT_ was they thinking.

 

[HutSiteDigger]

Just want too let you all know they caught the driver of the hit and run.. Guy won't be getting out for at least 20-30 years.

 

[Keppy]

Sad and very ture to be aware of your surroundings on a motorcycle! I hope they fry the driver of the truck!!

What most riders don't do is BE FULLY AWARE of ALL their surroundings. I know when riding it becomes peaceful and pretty much enjoyment of the scenery. I have always been a defensive and offensive driver/rider. I NEVER let a car ride next to me, I am constantly looking around and I am ALWAYS looking in my mirrors to keep cars from getting closer than 3 car lengths behind me.

I know I like the scenery, especially out in the country when I am just the only one on the road, but I spend more time looking around behind me in my mirrors, side roads or driveways, and oncoming traffic to take evasive action if need be!

I was leaving teh house last weekend to go to the ROT rally and I was on a 5 lane road in town and some smuck pulled right out in front of me, saw me and stopped, (I know he did this to at least have me make a manuever to evade him), and I had to lock my brakes, almost skidded sideways, barely missed his rear bumper by 2 feet! I emmediately turned around after he saw I had control, I sped up and cought up to him and of course I get up along side of him and he rolls his window down saying he didn't see me coming around the curve and he was sorry! The curve is a gradual curve so there was NO WAY he didn't see me in broad day light and I was the only vehicle going my way for 100s of feet.

Well as I noticed he rolled his wondow down he had about a 10 year old boy in his Harley Davidson truck. I told him nice truck, then I asked him if he rode or had a motorcycle and of course the answer was NO and he was appologetic again. I told him people who don't ride or have a Harley generally buys Harley Davidson Edition Ford trucks and window stickers for people to think they ride. I told him it figures someone would buy a Harley Davidson Edition truck and not even ride!

Truth of the matter was I was ready to yank him out of his truck and beat the tar out of him until I saw his kid in the truck! His kid just saved his dad from broken bones and a trip to the hospital!!

And that kid saved you from a trip to jail........... Think before you act when you are driving ... Or about to pound on some one .... So then you both would have been in the wrong... To many people being shot or beat on ... On the highway now a days you have to learn how to control your self........& your temper..

 

[lawrence_1md]

Most of the time I smile and give a big wave hello to them. When deep inside I'm thinking you dirty, no good of a driver, if I was a trooper I'd pull your license.

The smile and wave gets them heated up cause they know they were wrong and wanted me to be the bad guy by yelling or giving the 1 finger way. I just don't give them what they want. It's hard to do at times, I am human. Hahaha

 

[NJcigarman]

I was a cop here in NJ for thirty years. I saw and handled accidents everyday. But in the thirty years the deadliest always were MC involved. And most of the time the MC was not at fault. Be careful!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[austin]

Grew up riding bikes since the age of 12. Many close calls, but the worst accident happened while sitting on a "Rice Grinder" at a chick's house. Driveway was slanted, bike was on center stand, I leaned back, bike fell on me, ankle broke, she laughed and I couldn't shift so went home slowly in 1st gear. Dying for a bike(it's been many years), rode a Sportster last year, realized I had nothing resembling reflexes anymore, knew I'd been lucky and just walked away. We have people killed here constantly. Hit from front, back, sides, speeding and lost control. People don't respect bikers and many bikers think they are in control. My dad's police friend told me when I was about 14 and riding on my old Cushman, "Son don't ever lose your fear and think you've mastered that bike. It will kill you". Well, through Suzuki's Honda's Kawasaki's and Harleys, I remembered that advice. Just too dangerous today. And besides, I think concrete has gotten harder over the years...

 

[TerryC]

I had the pleasure of seeing a guy gassing up a 1913 INDIAN at the gas station in Snelling, CA. a few months ago. They still had to manually oil the engine in 1913 by pushing the lever/button in that year. TTC

 

[Tnmountains]

I live near Chickamauga battlefield. When I get in from work I will fire up the Harley and ride around until dark many evenings. Peaceful. I hate to give it up but find myself not riding as much as I used to. Now with everyone distracted on the road I get tense when in lots of traffic or on the freeway. But it sure is nice. I think I will do a gopro video off my bike of the park one evening. Neat way to see the 2nd largest battlefield.

 

[TerryC]

ANYWAY to see the hallowed ground would be neat! It's almost like I can FEEL the ghosts around me when I'm in such places. TTC