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View Full Version : Witnessed a motorcycle accident today - saw a guy get killed



MagicMtnDan
06-17-2003, 09:22 PM
I was driving back from lunch in Burbank passing the Virgin Records store and In-N-Out Burger on tthe two lane street. A guy on a Yamaha (cruiser bike) passed me too quickly and moved back into my (right) lane swerving too far to the right. Just then the road curves back to the left in front of El Pollo Loco. I watch in disbelief as the guy hit the curb at an angle and his bike traveled along it. He was leaning over on his bike as it went along the curb and suddenly his face hit a tree! He pin-wheeled off his bike landing on the sidewalk on his back. He had an open-face helmet on but that didn't help him today.
We jumped out of my truck and I dialed 911 (got a recording saying it's busy - note to everyone - enter your local PD phone numbers into your phone so you can get ahold of someone in an emergency). My buddy ran into El Pollo Loco - he eats there occasionally and knows he sees cops there. Sure enough one was in there and he came running out.
I directed traffic and then went over to the guy (my other buddy was with him). He was in real bad shape - unconscious, big, ugly laceration opened up his chin - he had blood on his face...
I told my friend not to move him and I called out loudly to the guy to see if he could hear me/respond. He wasn't doing well and I could hear blood flowing. Next thing I know he tries to breathe and blood pours out of his mouth and nose.
The cop comes over and looks at him while calling for an ambulance. Ten-plus cops show up from all directions. The road's closed. The ambulance shows up - the paramedics try to get him breathing but I don't see his chest move at all.
The poor guy looked to be 40+ years old. We saw him pass us and hit/slide along the curb. It was his last moments of life. Somewhere his family is devastated. He was in a hurry to get somewhere and now he's gone.
We were interviewed extensively by the police. I had to re-trace the entire event and there was lots of spray painting done on the street to mark every position. They checked his bike (it was relatively unscathed - it was re-started by the police and they checked - it was in 4th gear!). He was going too fast and he was very unlucky. I'm sure he was trying to get away from the curb instead of nailing his brakes.
It was an ugly thing to witness (the accident) and tragic to see a man lose his life right in front of me. All alone on the sidewalk in Burbank.
Life is so very precious and our time here seems so short. I hope I never see something like this again. And I hope that none of you do either.
Today was not a good day.
-Dan

wsuwrhr
06-17-2003, 09:29 PM
I ride a bike Dan.
I appreciate your compassion. anyone loosing their life like that is tragic.
I told my family when I got a bike(this is years before I got married) that if I got killed on it, I died doing what I loved.
I have a friend killed on a bike, before helmet laws were in effect. I rode with a helmet then, and I did after. Full face. Always.
For your own sake, what did the Police say to you?
You may want to check into a lawyer, just in case the family's lawyer decides somehow YOU caused him to get out of control, considering the fatality.
You never know in this world nowadays. Protect what you have.
Just my .02 bud.
Brian
[ June 17, 2003, 10:37 PM: Message edited by: wsuwrhr ]

wsuwrhr
06-17-2003, 09:35 PM
I hate to be such a callous asshole, after reading your post a second time, I am still worried about the aftermath for you. Don't forget if there weren't any other witnesses, your account could be very well be picked to peices. think about what I said in the earlier post.
Just my two pennies worth.
Brian
[ June 17, 2003, 10:35 PM: Message edited by: wsuwrhr ]

FMluvswater
06-17-2003, 09:36 PM
Whoa that is awful. For his family and for you too. What a horrific thing to have been a witness to. Sounds like you did everything you could to get the guy some help. We never know how we'll react in those situations until they happen. You reacted well despite how that must have felt. I really don't know what else to say except that you done good under awful circumstances. Take care MMD.
~FM

River Ric
06-17-2003, 09:37 PM
I saw and accident like that on the way home from Needles last year. Young girl driving her parents Mercedes SUV. They were asleep with no seat belts on. She lost control doing 85 plus and rolled it 8 or 9 times. Both of parents were ejected and rolled over by the SUV. She was bruised a little but ok. I heard from a friend(CHP)that both died later at the hospital from massive internal injuries. I drive 1000 miles a week for my sales job. I tell my wife everyday that I will see her when I get home. That is the only important thing. Nothing is so important that you need to go that fast. Lfe is to short. Keep those seat belts on. My dads best friend was a CHP with 30 years on the Job. He said that he never pulled a dead body outr of seat belt. Says something dosen't it. Be safe and Kiss your wife and kids every day. wink

MagicMtnDan
06-17-2003, 09:43 PM
wsuwrhr:
I hate to be such a callous asshole, after reading your post a second time, I am still worried about the aftermath for you. Don't forget if there weren't any other witnesses, your account could be very well be picked to peices. think about what I said in the earlier post.
Just my two pennies worth.
Brian Thanks for your concern Brian! I appreciate it.
I had two guys that I work with in my truck and the three of us were the only witnesses to the accident.
We didn't touch the guy - there wasn't anything we could do for him except call the police, direct traffic and try to get him to fight for his life.
I realize that there's always the potential for lawsuits. But I'm hoping that that wont' be a consideration for his family. I/we had nothing to do with it except for being in the vehicle he passed at a high rate of speed.
The only way this tragedy could be worse is if his family sued me/us.
I'm sure I won't sleep well at all tonight. I keep seeing this poor guy's face...lying there on the sidewalk...

Eric455
06-17-2003, 09:46 PM
i work in the city of burbank. and i kno exatcly where it happened. its is a sharp turn and if u are not familiar with the area then u have to be carefull. sorry to hear these kinds of stories. hope you menatlly feel better. this is one scene none of us should experience. and abot the lawyer thing i think that is a good idea. i call it "CYA" (cover your ass)
eric

Eric455
06-17-2003, 09:52 PM
I'm sure I won't sleep well at all tonight. I keep seeing this poor guy's face...lying there on the sidewalk...
ohh man i really feel bad for you. i know how it feels i've been in ur shoes before. jst try to think abut something els. watch a movie, spend time with someone. talk to someone, dont keep it inside u it will only make it worse. i saw my brother inlaws dad after he was shot in da head. not a preety scene but we have to deal with it. hope you feel better. do you work/live in burbank?
eric

MagicMtnDan
06-17-2003, 09:58 PM
Eric455:
[b]do you work/live in burbank?
eric I work in Burbank, just off Victory, near the Costco, at a high-tech start-up.
I live in Sylmar, about 16 miles away.

Kurtis500
06-17-2003, 10:29 PM
Wow magicmountaindan. I feel for you. I have 12 years as a fireman here in the phx area and have seen that scenario quite a bit in various forms. Each one is equally tragic. Of course each person has someone who cared about them. Its astounding how something like speeding, running a red light, or blowing a stop sign can change peoples lives and/or end some others. Something we have all done.

Windy
06-17-2003, 10:39 PM
MagicMtnDan:
We didn't touch the guy - there wasn't anything we could do for him except call the police, direct traffic and try to get him to fight for his life.
You did the right thing...He could have had a spinal injury and moving him without c spine immoblization could cause paralysis...That is if he were to survive.
Im so sorry to hear this, my prayers are with you and the victims family.

hd&boatrider
06-18-2003, 01:15 AM
I ride a Harley and try to be careful but WTF! Sorry for the family and hope that he did not have any little ones. I took out quite a lot of accidenatal death insurance for my son...just in case. If it happens **** it...I can't change the consequences of my life. I will live it the way it is dealt. One of my friends asked me recently why I haven't been killed yet...I don't know. When your time comes it comes. I am not a religous person but may god be with his family
[ June 18, 2003, 02:15 AM: Message edited by: hd&boatrider ]

91nordic29
06-18-2003, 06:12 AM
magicmtndan-- i hope you got some sleep and are feeling a smidgeon better today. tell your friends that were with you that we are all thinking of you all.
cyn
[ June 18, 2003, 07:12 AM: Message edited by: 91nordic29 ]

THOR
06-18-2003, 06:55 AM
Damn Dan, that is never a good thing to see. I feel for you and the decedent's family. frown

Seadog
06-18-2003, 06:59 AM
Experiencing the violent death of another is something no normal human forgets. After a while, the mind will suppress the memory, but it will still pop up at times. This is nature's way of teaching us to respect death and is normal. I would suggest that you quietly attend the funeral. Often that will give closure.

nodigg
06-18-2003, 07:16 AM
I feel for you for having to witness something so horrific and hope you will not be scarred by something you had no control over. I feel the most sadness for the family and friends of the victim. They are the ones that will suffer the enduring pain of such a loss. I left the world of motorcycles for a long time while I raised a family and worked to earn a living for them. Now that I am older I have once again taken up motorcycling. I had forgotten how much pleasure I drive from riding. I am now very respectful of the dangers of riding but my family knows that if I were to die because an accident while riding I would have died doing something that gives me joy. I would hope that no one would be looking for an excuse to make money from any accident I might be involved in and that you will not be involved in that way either.
[ June 18, 2003, 08:18 AM: Message edited by: nodigg ]

Mrs Scuba
06-18-2003, 07:19 AM
I feel for you and I am sorry that you had to be a witness to this.
What I always do before I leave home is I always tell Scuba that I love him and give him a kiss, no matter what, even if we have had an argument. It would kill me to know that the day that I did not tell Steve that I love him might be the last time I see him if something were to happen. My thoughts are with you and the family.

eliminatedsprinter
06-18-2003, 07:50 AM
Wow
Thats rough. As far as you needing legal help. If getting some professional advice makes you feel more secure, go for it. One of the things they teach us in our emergency procedures and our life saving classes at my work is that since most states (inc CA) have instituted good samaritan laws, no one has been successfully sued for stopping and attepmting to help out in an accident or other emergency. So don't lose any sleep worring about legal issues for yourself. A little CYA never hurts, but don't worry about it. Just seeing something like that is stressful enough.

91nordic29
06-18-2003, 09:16 AM
good advice, dave

GrapeApe
06-18-2003, 09:20 AM
1st time poster.. just wanted to say that you are a good person to have even stopped to help. I have seen accidents where people keep driving by, almost hitting the people involved in the accident. So that says alot about the type of person you are. I myself have been there in your shoes 1st on the scene of a accident involving a Motorcycle. On the 805 North by the base at Miramar, an old lady cut off a big rig pulling 2 trailers. He swerved and slid both trailers sideways down the freeway. I was going the opposite direction and saw the accident as it was happening. I jumped out of my truck, and the old lady that cut the trucker off was clipped by the truck and spun into the guard rail, and was fine. The trucker jumped out screaming, and bleeding from hitting the windshield. I then saw a street bike underneath the truck towards the cab. I started to look for the rider, and he was pinned underneath the back trailers wheels. He was on his side, and the wheels where pinning his hips to the ground. Thankfully the box trailer was empty. I did my best to keep him calm, so he wouldn't go into deep shock. Alot of things fell into place perfectly to save this guys life. We slid a spare tire under the rear axle, and we neede a floor jack to reach the axle, low and behold an old lady driving a cadillac had a 100# floor jack in her trunk which worked to jack the truck off the guy. This guy wouldn't be alive if people didn't stop to help. And it did help to talk about the accident to as many people as I could. It kept me from thinking about it when I was alone..

cigarette1
06-18-2003, 04:39 PM
I don't ride anymore after witnessing something simular. I had a tricked out K100 BMW and used to ride with a group of very experienced riders (I always brought up the rear). Most of them rode Ducs and raced in their earlier years (we were all over 40). One day on the Crest we came upon two riders, relatively, taking it easy. One of them was wearing full leathers and the other had on topsiders and a windbreaker. As we were overtaking them one by one, the guy in leather decided to run with the front guys (he was good). Now it was my turn to pass his partner, but he was all over the road trying to keep up. As I'm folowing and waiting for a chance to pass this guy, he crossed the yellow one too many times and went head in to a BMW car. The guy was sprawled out on the road in a banked turn. The girls in the car were freaking ... no one from our group realized he went down ... and there I was trippin' ... I knew the guy was a done. I couldn't get a signal on my cell when a guy drove up and started to check him out. By then the blood was streaming across the road from his helmet. By this time someone had reached his partner and told him his buddy went down. It was sad when his buddy arrived on the scene. The irony was that it was a very young guy and the bike was brand new. When it was time for me to resume my ride, it felt like I was trying to ride on a curb. I sold the bike shortly there after.
frown

EricU
06-18-2003, 05:05 PM
It's ****ing Darwinism! Too many clowns out there buying big bikes, wanting to be cool, that have never rode before.
People should have to ride a dirt bike for at least three years before they are allowed on a street bike. Screwing up on a off road trail can still do some damage, but nothing like a Buick can. And yes trees and rocks do hurt, (I am supprised California hasn't outlawed them).
Cars don't see you on a bike! Then there are the assholes in cars that are pissed off when you are on a bike and passing them -- ****ing jealous pieces of shit!
Just hope the guy didn't have little kids.
Eric

Trailer Park Casanova
06-18-2003, 05:51 PM
That's a numb awfull feeling Dan.
A few years ago we were on the 15 just a few miles before Stateline, woke the kids up to look at the Casino lights ahead as a BMW m/c and a Harley passed us.
Just as they crossed into Nevada the BMW rider was struck by lighting, we all saw it, both riders fell and died.
A numb and awful day ya wanna throw back.
Sorry you had to witness that.

Ziggy
06-18-2003, 06:46 PM
Terrible thing to have to witness...5 stars to ya for doing your best. Not much we can do in those situations but pray. :( cry
Certainly solidifies my decision not to co-sign for that FZR my son wanted just yesterday. Had my close call years ago, put away the street bikes and stuck to off-roadin'.

mowtown
06-20-2003, 11:55 AM
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Mrs Scuba:
It would kill me to know that the day that I did not tell Steve that I love him might be the last time I see him if something were to happen.
When I was 16, i skipped a class to run home and pick up something and my mom "caught" me. Even though she was a little ticked that I wasn't at school (only for a few minutes )we laughed and joked around and we shared "I love you's" when I left. She was killed in a violent roll over accident about 25 minutes later. I consider that last chance to talk to her an eternal blessing.
Tell your loved ones how you feel despite any chicken shit spats you might be having.

spectratoad
06-20-2003, 12:06 PM
It's ****ing Darwinism! Too many clowns out there buying big bikes, wanting to be cool, that have never rode before.
People should have to ride a dirt bike for at least three years before they are allowed on a street bike. Screwing up on a off road trail can still do some damage, but nothing like a Buick can. And yes trees and rocks do hurt, (I am supprised California hasn't outlawed them).
Cars don't see you on a bike! Then there are the assholes in cars that are pissed off when you are on a bike and passing them -- ****ing jealous pieces of shit!
So Eric, Having to ride a dirt bike would teach you how to avoid those buicks that are driven by people who don't see you or are jealous of you? You contradict yourself there in your statement bud. If you are driving a bike like an idiot it is bound to happen but when I was riding I did everything right and always assumed that the cars around me didn't see me or were gunning for me. I am still alive. The bike could go fast but I didn't need to, maybe that is why I am still here to type. But as HD&Boatrider says, when it is time to go there is nothing you can do about it.

EricU
06-20-2003, 12:59 PM
What riding a dirt bike does is teach people how to react on a bike in an emergency situation.
It's a hell of lot better to learn what happens when you lock up the rear tire in the dirt than on the asphalt.
Dirt still hurts, but not as much as a Buick or a concrete curb.
Being able to plunk down money on a bike whether it is a big cruiser or a bad ass repli-racer dosen't mean that the person knows how to ride. It always amazes me when I see someone on a thirty thousand dollar Harley and they are hanging thier feet out through the intersection like outriggers. Like if they dump their bike that their leg is going to keep them up. Guarentee that those clowns have never ridding a dirt bike.
Riding a street bike is always a risk, but I wouldn't give it up.
Eric.

fat rat
06-20-2003, 01:14 PM
I agree with Eric......knowing body english might have saved that guy's life.

spectratoad
06-20-2003, 01:25 PM
That may be true when you look at it that way. Too bad the same applies to boats when it comes to someone not know shit except they can afford a boat.

MagicMtnDan
06-20-2003, 03:10 PM
spectratoad:
That may be true when you look at it that way. Too bad the same applies to boats when it comes to someone not know shit except they can afford a boat. You raise a good point - so how do you all recommend people learn to drive a boat safely (yes, I know about taking a safe boating course)? What else is there besides that and seat time?

fat rat
06-20-2003, 06:02 PM
There isn't nothing to replace....Experience. I guess thats why I agreed with Eric, I also spent many years riding a dirt bike and now ride a "Dresser" (HD). I have put this bike in a full cross up before, just to avoid an accident....it comes very natural to me. But I also didn't go from dirt to dresser......many years of sport bike (Z-1's) riding went along with it.....I thank God everyday, to have made it thorough those years.
The same should apply to boating......know your limits. It's hard to return......from the point of "No-Return" and it's a bad feeling once you get there.

Kurtis500
06-20-2003, 07:42 PM
wow mowtown!!...thats terrible... glad you at least got to say goodbye one more time!