Motorcycle rider killed after bag of cans lands on SR 167

kinglerxst said on June 1, 2011 at 1:05 PM

To all the people on here talking about getting DNA and/or fingerprints from the cans: Fingerprints or DNA off of any of the cans would not prove anything about who dumped the bag of cans on the freeway. The only hope that the person(s) who did this will ever get caught is if they turn themselves in or if eyewitnesses come forward.

b_sunshyne said on June 1, 2011 at 9:46 AM

I knew the rider... He was a friend of mine for the past 10 years. He was a awesome guy with a great laugh and easy smile. I am sickened by people who do not secure their loads on their vehicles! Even if the driver who lost the bag of cans is found, no amount of money can ever bring my friend back. Sad day.

stilltaxed said on May 31, 2011 at 6:42 PM

I've ridden for over forty years, its easy to say keep distance. Through those years I have had many people take away my space. If they hit the brakes then it's toast. Who knows if this person was to close or not having not been there. The load is the issue people have been killed in cars the same way. Sorry for your loss famly. The rider probably died doing what they love. RIP

okokokok said on May 31, 2011 at 6:08 PM

my condolences to the rider and his family/friends.

okokokok said on May 31, 2011 at 6:06 PM

when you see something in the road, it's usually best to just hit it, esp. on the freeway. I learned my lesson after trying to slam on my brakes and swerving to avoid a coyote of all things, and flipping/rolling my car on I-82. it was my reflex/instinct to try avoid it, and it happens in a split second.

whataworld said on May 31, 2011 at 4:18 PM

The DNA and finger prints on the cans just show that the person had contact with them at some point it doesn't mean they were the ones driving the vehicle with the unsecured load! It doesn't matter if your driving 2, 4 or 18 wheels, you need to be aware of your surroundings and potential problems AND be ready to react! You can't stop every accident from happening but it would sure help if people weren't on their phones, sending texts, reading books....It's scary what people do while driving!

eengelhart984914 said on May 31, 2011 at 3:55 PM

INVAILD!!!!! You have to be to one of the most sickest, cruel and idiotic person I have yet to see post on here! You are a cruel heart son of a B*t#H! How dare you repeat such needless comments! You are a complete waste of space! Due to unfortunate events I was dealt with my younger brother dying on his motorcycle in almost the same circumstances! You have no understanding to what your stupid, careless comments do to others. I hope that you are not a donor! Because your organs are useless to all! Your heart has no feeling and your brain is empty! Do us all a favor and stay to your self! To the family of the lost one, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you!

Rattler said on May 31, 2011 at 1:38 PM

Cycles will always be on the short end of the stick....after 40 years of driving, it is a given, lack of attention to the task at hand, poor road maintenance, unsecured loads, etc... are going to happen. As much as the state tries to accomodate motorcycles, the simple fact is they lack the protection and are inherently more dangerous to ride. Cars have to have seat belts, crumple zones, air bags, impact testing and ratings.... no such safety requirements for motorcyclists. Why is that so?

TWYLA12 said on May 31, 2011 at 12:45 PM

I'm a fellow rider & no matter if the motorcycle rider was following to close the whole point of the accident was that a bag of cans that fell is what created this whole situation. No matter if you ride a motorcycle or drive any type of vehicle if you follow to close yes you will be cited but does that mean it's ok for the person who dropped the bag of cans (whether it was an accident or on purpose) should be over looked? I think not. I always just love hearing that motorcycles are always to blame ( it should be on an each personal basis) because they were following to close or whatever how about that maybe because the cars in front of them stopped suddenly they had no where to go & unfortunately crashed into the back of the SUV. It's sad all the way around for the whole entire situation because what about that person(s) in the SUV there probally in pain too seeing all that unfold as well as the other drivers around the whole accident. I pray for all of them.

clear2copy said on May 31, 2011 at 12:35 PM

The unsecured load didn't kill anyone.. the rider following too close for conditions killed himself through his failure to maintain safe following distance. There is no question that this is sad..I'm a bike commuter myself and have been riding for about 25 years..this hits hard to those of us that use two wheels. If any good can come from this, it'd be a painful reminder to stay aware of our surroundings when riding..as I'm sure this all happened in the shortest of split-seconds. Stay Safe

firesoul said on May 31, 2011 at 12:04 PM

It's only an easy trail if the person responsible for the cans has their DNA on file already. But, hopefully someone witnessed which car they came from so there could be potential suspects to take DNA samples from to compare to the cans. For those of you who claim the bike was following the cars too closely...how do you know this? If a bunch of cars going highway speeds suddenly slam on their brakes, the gaps between vehicles close extremely fast. Yes, we should all have a following distance of 4 seconds or more while traveling at highway speeds, but no one does that even if they want to. IF you are able to, you are angrily passed. Not to mention people merging and cutting in front of you all the time. It is very difficult to keep a safe following distance on highways around here. My prayers go out to the motorcyclist and their family...

Anonymous said on May 31, 2011 at 9:04 AM

Check for fingerprints there must be hundreds. and type of cans . ie> Miller, Bud or other. When garbage is dump the police check for mail and other easy given's. A bag of cans leaves a easy trail.

kanajune said on May 31, 2011 at 7:25 AM

How awful to learn that your unsecured load killed someone. But its time to step up and take responsibility.

skok_cush said on May 31, 2011 at 7:23 AM

Sarcasm Alert: Recycling Kills. We need a another $124Law & Cops to Pull over everyone with recyclables in their car/truck. . . .for safety of course.

southlakeunion said on May 31, 2011 at 6:52 AM

COVER YOUR LOADS PEOPLE!

waynecrankshaft0 said on May 31, 2011 at 5:31 AM

For a couple of dollars worth of aluminum cans, some idiot recycle nut job or unemployed person trying to get by, has carelessly caused an incident that took the life of another person, we have recently passed laws to severely punish those that cause injury or death to others by unsecured loads, I do hope they are caught and dealt with in accordance with the law. . One has to wonder who would start this tragedy by stopping on the freeway for a bag of cans ?? ...... as witnessed by all the roadkill spots on every road, people don't do anything to avoid killing living things that happen to be on the road, why stop for a bag of cans ?? ...... that had likely had broken open on hitting the road and was clearly visible that running over them would not kill a living thing or person !! ..... Seems rather stupid to me !!!

commonsensewa said on May 31, 2011 at 12:15 AM

The bag of cans wouldn't have been an issue if everyone kept a safe distance between vehicles.

happy321 said on May 30, 2011 at 11:37 PM

The driver should not have been following so close, but it is also understood. The problem starts when you leave too much space, and some dumb slow driver pulsl in front of you, usually in the passing lane, then they sit there holding up hundreds of cars, all trying to get around the slow driver. They are like driving trolls and should be ticketed. Here is a clue, if everyone is struggling to pass you, over to the right. If someone is pulling up faster then you, don't pull in front of them. Stay in the right lane. This would solve so many problems and avoid so many accidents. Anyone who does not tie a load down after all the tragic freak accidents in our state in the past few year should go to jail. Even if the driver was following too close it is negligent not to tie down your load.

Blewone said on May 30, 2011 at 10:42 PM

@Mick33 It would appear that the rider was following too close but, that road is horrible. There isn't much choice but to not leave enough room between vehicles because people squeeze in. I do agree that whoever dropped those cans out should be charged with murder even if it just flew out of the back of the truck. Knowing we can all die is a well known risk for any type of transportation we use. Not to fear though! With the weather being so nice earlier, I'm sure there are plenty of fingerprints and dna on them. Justice will be served.

genagee said on May 30, 2011 at 10:34 PM

My family and I were about 10 cars behind this when it occurred. Very very sad. The debris on the road was absolutely nothing but crushed cans. I have a feeling that the person just didn't think that that bag would blow out but aluminum cans don't weigh much. RIP Sir!

invalid said on May 30, 2011 at 10:00 PM

That's why EMS people call 'em donorcycles.

shoreline said on May 30, 2011 at 9:58 PM

That's the sad thing about these types of stories. It doesn't matter who was doing what or who was at fault. In the end, if it's car vs. motorcycle, the motorcyle will always lose. Just like drivers of cars, motorcyle riders can get too comfortable and lose the edge in attention when on the road. Only for the motorcycle rider, the consequences are far more serious. RIP fellow rider.

underserf said on May 30, 2011 at 9:41 PM

That's the sad thing about riding amongst the coffins - about the time you figure out you screwed up, you're watching the asphalt from the wrong angle. Been there, paid for it. Dope, motorcycles, sex - it can all kill ya if you get stupid - pity some former PotUS's got a pass on fatal stupidity early on...

newlogin86 said on May 30, 2011 at 9:34 PM

I did not see this accident literally by seconds. I was north bound, going home I saw cans on the left side of the road. I hope they can track in the debris some kind of identification or a witness. Terrible. So sad on Memorial Day too, of all days.

kak55 said on May 30, 2011 at 9:25 PM

Agreed. It's very sad that this motorcyclist lost his life but had he not been following obviously closer then he should have, his life would have been spared. I hope other's take this tragic lesson and move forward while leaving the proper space between their vehicle and the one ahead.

groovechampion said on May 30, 2011 at 9:15 PM

Preface to say I am Harley rider and these types of stories always cause me anguish. But I must remind the reading audience that anytime you hit the back of a vehicle it is your fault no matter what the circumstance(s). If the rider had lived he would have been cited with an accident. The driver of the vehicle that was rear ended will not be cited for an accident and is due to be repaid damages by the motorcycle rider's liability insurance if the rider owned an inusrance policy. It seems like 99% of the drivers on our roads these days either do not know this or do not care. Until I recieved my training as a long haul truck driver I did not know it. And if you think that truck company's are not aware of this then the next time you are being tail gated by a big truck take down the truck number, company name, date and time, and mile marker of the highway or interstate and call that truckers company and report that driver. You will see how much the truck company cares.

gohawks035820457 said on May 30, 2011 at 8:37 PM

Very sad, hope they catch the guy!!

Anonymous said on May 30, 2011 at 8:12 PM

R.I.P. This is very sad to read, I also commute on a motorcycle, it is so easy to prevent this by simply strapping down your load!!

Gixxer said on May 30, 2011 at 7:51 PM

and tie down your freaking loads people!!!! I hope they catch the person that didn't properly secure his/her load.

kingster said on May 30, 2011 at 7:50 PM

There are some truly evil minds out there. They deserve even worse.

mick_03 said on May 30, 2011 at 7:50 PM

Stupid cager. Kill a biker, get the death penalty.

Gixxer said on May 30, 2011 at 7:26 PM

RIP