Motorcycle LEO hurt in crash

[Venturous Randy]

This is a C & P from yesterday's local paper.

 

Injured JC policeman to be out 6 months

 

By Becky Campbell

Press Staff Writer

bcampbell@johnsoncitypress.com

A veteran Johnson City motorcycle officer injured in a crash when his bike bottomed out — apparently on faulty pavement — will be off the force about six months while he heals.

Still, Bob Tallman, who has been an officer for 32 years and on the traffic squad since 1991, is “in good spirits,” said Johnson City Police Maj. Mark Sirois.

Tallman broke both bones in his lower right leg when his foot was pinned between the bike’s muffler and saddlebag, according to Lt. Larry Williams, Tallman’s director supervisor.

The crash happened about 1:20 p.m. July 3 as Tallman and the city’s other two motorcycle officers, Tim Hensley and David Smith, were turning from Pactolus Road onto Liberty Bell Boulevard.

“There was a section of pavement right where he was turning where they had done some waterline work,” Williams said. “The pavement had settled considerably.”

When the bike’s front tire came out of the dip, the rest of the motorcycle was much lower, Williams said.

“The right side of the frame caught the pavement and it essentially jerked the bike right out from under him,” Williams said. “He got his right foot caught up under the muffler and it was pinned between the muffler and saddle bag.”

Tallman was following Hensley and Smith and apparently crossed over the repaved area at a different section.

“Two motorcycles were in front of him. He was just in the wrong path,” Williams said.

Tallman underwent surgery to repair the breaks, but will likely be out of work up to six months while he heals.

“He’s been riding motorcycles 35 years and this is the first scratch he’s had on one,” Williams said.

“We miss him. We only have seven (on the traffic squad) so it hurts us to be short handed.”

The Tennessee Highway Patrol investigated the crash while JCPD conducted a parallel investigation.

 

 

 

 

 

We have had several poorly done road repairs and I have expressed how dangerous they are, especially to motorcyclists. I hate this happened, but I hope now there is more attention on this stuff.

RandyA

[Flyinfool]

I'll bet that this gets it repaired real quick, as compared to your complaints about dangerous road repairs.

 

Unfortunately sometimes it takes someone getting hurt to spur the government to action.

[csogbk]

Prayers out for a speedy recovery!