Accidents Everywhere.

[FROG MAN]

Today on my way to Morgantown I passed a bad motorcycle accident on I79 that backed up traffic for miles. The rider was flown to the hospital with no word on his current condition. He was trying to pass a FedX truck and somehow collided with it.

 

While I was in Morgantown working in the ER I heard another call over the radio about another motorcycle accident.The victim had no feeling in his legs. Thats two the same day.

 

Last weekend a rider was killed when he lost control and hit an embankment. He suffered severe head trauma. This state requires all riders to wear a helmet but reports say he was not wearing one. His wife was injured but survives.

 

RIDE SAFE GUYS. TO MUCH OF THIS GOING ON.

 

 

[mini-muffin]

Lots more folks on bikes and most are inexperienced. The Navy base in VA is starting sport bike safety classes. Lots of the navy boys come home and get one and end up hurt or dead. I've noticed lots more motorcycle accidents reported on the news too.

 

Margaret

[jneed53]

Lots of new riders that act stupid and even more cagers that can't see anything past their cell phone keyboard.

[rod]

Here in San Diego we run safety classes year round. On base you have to do the BRC to ride on base. They just started the mandatory sport bike school, we hope it will decrease the casualties. We get 6+ fatalities each week most are military. We hope more training will help. Wish us luck. Rod

[MAINEAC]

We just had one near me where a retired couple from TN on vacation got hit head on by a pick up truck... Hearsay says one or both have lost limbs and are still in trouble...

 

Motorcyclists remain in critical condition

By Steve Fuller

The Republican Journal Reporter

 

NORTHPORT (July 22): A husband and wife from Tennessee remained in critical condition this week after the motorcycle on which they were traveling collided head-on Friday, July 18, with a truck on Route 1. Advertisement

 

 

 

http://waldo.villagesoup.com/sharedpix/News/200807/P141753.jpgPieces of the motorcycle (Photo by Tina Shute)

 

Maine State Police Sgt. Tom Ballard said two couples from Tennessee were driving south on Route 1 on separate motorcycles.

 

http://waldo.villagesoup.com/sharedpix/News/200807/P141754.jpgThis vehicle reportedly struck a motorcycle head-on on Route 1. (Photo by Tina Shute)

 

In front of Northport Marine, one of the motorcycles narrowly avoided crashing with a 2001 Chevy pickup truck that veered into the southbound lane. Trooper Corey Smith said the other motorcycle, a 2004 Harley Davidson, collided with it.

 

http://waldo.villagesoup.com/sharedpix/News/200807/P141755.jpgWaldo County Sheriff's Department Detective Matt Curtis, left, and Belfast Police Sgt. John Gibbs look at the wreckage. (Photo by Tina Shute)

 

Smith, the primary investigator, said the motorcycle's operator, Cecil Gentry, 62, of Cookeville, Tenn., and his wife and passenger, Linda Gentry, also 62, were taken to Waldo County General Hospital in Belfast and then LifeFlighted to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. He said they both sustained serious injuries.

A spokesperson for EMMC said this week that they had no information on the condition of either Gentry. Tuesday, July 22, Maine State Police Lt. Gerard Madden said the latest information he had received indicated both Gentrys remained in critical condition at the Bangor hospital.

Dale Dyer, a friend of the Gentrys who lives in Cookeville, said in an e-mail that his friends had recently retired.

 

http://waldo.villagesoup.com/sharedpix/News/200807/P141756.jpgThe front passenger side wheel of the truck. (Photo by Tina Shute)

 

The driver of the truck, said Smith, was Karen Roberts, 51, of Belfast. Smith said after the crash, Roberts continued driving the truck, which had lost a wheel in the crash, north on Route 1, until Belfast police officers pulled her over. Madden said Roberts traveled approximately three miles north on the highway from the accident site before she was stopped.

Belfast Police Chief Jeff Trafton said Officer Michael Rolerson stopped Roberts near the Little River Baptist Church on Route 1 in Belfast. Trafton said Patrolmen Bryan Cunningham and Howard Dakin and Detective Michael McFadden assisted.

Roberts was taken to WCGH by one of the Belfast officers, Trafton said. He said his officers also brought blood test kits to the hospital so Roberts could be tested.

Smith said Roberts may have had a medical condition which factored into the crash. Madden confirmed that information, and said tests were done on Roberts. Madden said police are now awaiting the results of those tests.

 

http://waldo.villagesoup.com/sharedpix/News/200807/P141758.jpgWaldo County Sheriff's Department Detective Matt Curtis surveys the scene. (Photo by Tina Shute)

 

“The investigation is ongoing,” said Madden, who added that Roberts has not been arrested, summoned or charged with any crime.

Madden said Smith will continue investigating the crash, then forward his report to the District Attorney’s Office for review. One key piece of the investigation will be for Smith to speak with the victims, Madden said, and he is hopeful Smith will be able to do that sometime this week. Smith said at 11:55 a.m. the day the crash occurred, the Waldo County Regional Communications Center received a call about an erratic driver on Route 1 in Northport. The accident occurred two minutes later.

[Squidley]

Those are very ugly pics there Maineac, very sad to see, hope all goes well with them

[MAINEAC]

Yeah and it looks like the Beyatch that hit and ran may walk... claiming diabetes episode or some crap... She's out of the Hospital while one or both of them might not come out... Or if they do make it out they're missing limbs..

[Bummer]

Unfit's unfit if you ask me. Being diabetic shouldn't be an excuse for hit and run.

[autopilot]

I agree! In my opinion, they need to mandate (in each state, not federally) that the rider safety course be satisfactorily completed within a certain time limit of getting a motorcycle license AND both the course and license be in hand in order to be able to register and plate a bike. Which is all well and good, except it still puts the onus on the biker.

 

What I would really like to see (in addition) is ramped up revision to the laws to make it much more unpleasant (legally)for someone to hit a motorcycle. Expand the motorcycle section of the study manual and the drivers test. Make the penalties for certain infractions by the cagers involved in a bike incident mandatory and heavy. Just like is done for school buses. Hit one and see what happens (when & if you get your license back). I have to believe that if the states would do these things, some of the stuff would stop. People get real aware when it starts getting in their pocket book!

 

As an aside to this discussion, I've seen a big jump in the number of these little moped scooters on the main highways being used to commute with. I haven't checked yet, but I don't think you even have to have a drivers license OF ANY KIND to ride one and the moped itself doesn't have to be registered or plated. The drivers license part I'm almost positive about, because a couple of people I know of, bought and ride them, to get around having lost their licenses for DUIs. Now, ain't that a trip? I think it's gonna get a bunch worse before it ever gets better.

[OB-1]

Rider education can go a long way toward reducing motorcycle accidents. 25+ years ago, in my USAF days, I was involved in motorcycle safety training for the USAF. All you nice taxpayers sent me on an all expense paid trip, (TDY), to become as MSF Certified Instructor so I could come back to my home base and teach motorcycle safety. There was a fair bit of resistance from a lot of the riders, but the military folks had no choice and the civilians working on base had the choice of either going through the training or not being able to ride their bikes on base. I don’t recall the statistics, but our accident rate dropped significantly.

And, the most important part, it was my Air Force duty to ride my motorcycle! At least some of the time.

[roadwarrior]

Unfortunatly the course does not help when you are riding a crotch rocket 100MPH doing a wheely.I cringe everytime I see one of these young kids showing off on their crotch rockets.I hate to say it but they seem they are marketing crotch rockets to people who want to drive crazy.I saw on wreck last week doing 80 and doing a wheely on I-85 when he lost it.He was in front of a tractor trailer and it was not a pretty site.

 

I have seen a alot of deer wrecks this year as well.

[Bummer]

Rider education can go a long way toward reducing motorcycle accidents.

While I'm a firm believer in rider training, and retraining, and retraining, I'd sure feel better if the DRIVERS had to get a little training now and again too. There's only so much I can do to prevent an crash. Particularly when it's caused by the other guy.

Edited July 27, 2008 by Bummer
Woops. Crash not accident.

[royalstarjac]

Unfit's unfit if you ask me. Being diabetic shouldn't be an excuse for hit and run.

A person experiencing hypoglycemia or "insulin shock" can be totally out of it but still function at a greatly reduced level. To an untrained observer they appear to be extremely intoxicated. This woman may have absolutely no memory of her actions.

It's a reason, not an excuse, big difference IMO. Granted, that doesn't make it any easier on the victims. My prayers are with everyone involved.-Jack

[Kandaje]

Greetings...

 

Sounds to me like a crystal clear case of:

Remove all the warning labels and let nature take it's course...

 

Of course we're still stuck with all the whining idiot freedom hating liberals who survived and demand that it's the breeding Stupid people who set the bar.

 

I'm disgusted everytime I hear one of these whiners say - "They should make a law...!!"

Firing squad fodder as far as I'm concerned...

 

I fought for your right to say it - But honestly, I'm really starting to regret it.

Casting pearls before swine...

[PBJ]

Greetings...

 

Sounds to me like a crystal clear case of:

Remove all the warning labels and let nature take it's course...

 

Of course we're still stuck with all the whining idiot freedom hating liberals who survived and demand that it's the breeding Stupid people who set the bar.

 

I'm disgusted everytime I hear one of these whiners say - "They should make a law...!!"

Firing squad fodder as far as I'm concerned...

 

I fought for your right to say it - But honestly, I'm really starting to regret it.

Casting pearls before swine...

 

 

Isn't "Freedom hating Liberal " and Oximoron. Consideing that the word Liberal comes from the word Liberty or fredom for all?

[Bummer]

A person experiencing hypoglycemia or "insulin shock" can be totally out of it but still function at a greatly reduced level. To an untrained observer they appear to be extremely intoxicated. This woman may have absolutely no memory of her actions.

It's a reason, not an excuse, big difference IMO. Granted, that doesn't make it any easier on the victims. My prayers are with everyone involved.-Jack

I worked with a guy who ruined any sympathy I had for these folks. Ok, sure, this MIGHT be the first time she ever had a problem, but it's not likely.

 

Larry controls his sugar with a pocket full of insulin and constant food - absolutely anything he wants. He swings from one extreme to the other and refuses to change. Wouldn't exercise if someone held a gun to his head. Not what the Doctor ordered. He sideswiped a beater pickup with his Harley truck. He nodded out at the wheel then adamantly blamed the other guy, asking why HE would run into some junker. Eventually his insurance had to eat the accident.

 

My Mom is a diabetic, and has been for years. She controls it responsibly. She also does not drive, and has not in a very long time. Why? Personal responsibility. My grandson (9) is a type 1. I'm trained to handle his shots as #2 caregive behind his Mom. I think I have at least a slight clue.

 

Yes, perhaps it's a reason. It is not an excuse, though it certainly seems like it's being used as one.

 

Bottom line: There is no excuse. She ran people over. The LEOs hung no paper. She should never ever drive again. Period. I've been run over. I've heard the excuses. Sorry, not impressed. I hope the next time she gets behind the wheel of an SUV purchased for her safety, she goes comatose and drives it right over a cliff.

 

I appoligize for the rant, and truly do not want it to come off as overly harsh toward you, though I suppose it will, but the reason in no way excuses her conduct.

[Bummer]

Isn't "Freedom hating Liberal " and Oximoron. Consideing that the word Liberal comes from the word Liberty or fredom for all?

Sorry, but liberal and conservative are actually meaningless labels. A liberal is just as likely to pull your chain as a conservative who doesn't actually want to preserve the original Constitution either. I have trouble telling them apart without the whole Red vs Blue color coding.

[royalstarjac]

I worked with a guy who ruined any sympathy I had for these folks. Ok, sure, this MIGHT be the first time she ever had a problem, but it's not likely.

 

Larry controls his sugar with a pocket full of insulin and constant food - absolutely anything he wants. He swings from one extreme to the other and refuses to change. Wouldn't exercise if someone held a gun to his head. Not what the Doctor ordered. He sideswiped a beater pickup with his Harley truck. He nodded out at the wheel then adamantly blamed the other guy, asking why HE would run into some junker. Eventually his insurance had to eat the accident.

 

My Mom is a diabetic, and has been for years. She controls it responsibly. She also does not drive, and has not in a very long time. Why? Personal responsibility. My grandson (9) is a type 1. I'm trained to handle his shots as #2 caregive behind his Mom. I think I have at least a slight clue.

 

Yes, perhaps it's a reason. It is not an excuse, though it certainly seems like it's being used as one.

 

Bottom line: There is no excuse. She ran people over. The LEOs hung no paper. She should never ever drive again. Period. I've been run over. I've heard the excuses. Sorry, not impressed. I hope the next time she gets behind the wheel of an SUV purchased for her safety, she goes comatose and drives it right over a cliff.

 

I appoligize for the rant, and truly do not want it to come off as overly harsh toward you, though I suppose it will, but the reason in no way excuses her conduct.

 

Your argument could be used to exclude your grandson from ever holding a drivers license. Are you ok with that? If you know anything about diabetes then you know that even diabetics who keep under strict diet and control are subject to sudden hypoglycemia. Since we don't know the facts in this ladies case maybe we should reserve judgement instead of "hoping.....drives it right over a cliff".

[Bummer]

Your argument could be used to exclude your grandson from ever holding a drivers license. Are you ok with that? If you know anything about diabetes then you know that even diabetics who keep under strict diet and control are subject to sudden hypoglycemia. Since we don't know the facts in this ladies case maybe we should reserve judgement instead of "hoping.....drives it right over a cliff".

Yep. He can't go into the military either.

 

Life inhales sharply through pursed lips and then one dies.

[PBJ]

Sorry, but liberal and conservative are actually meaningless labels. A liberal is just as likely to pull your chain as a conservative who doesn't actually want to preserve the original Constitution either. I have trouble telling them apart without the whole Red vs Blue color coding.

 

I couldn't agree with your more which was part of why I used the response i did. For a conservative to blast liberals with out acknowleging that conservative have as many problems and abuses of the law is showing their own blindness to their groups own self serving attitudes.

 

As far as the diabetic issue here we all know we shouldn't stereotype all diabetics either. As its been pointed out there are responsible ones and irresponsible one. If a diabetic is not doing what he or she needs to control thier conditon then they share a percemtage of the responsiblity in an accident and should take the appropriate punishment for not taking care of themselves and becoming a danger to others.

[MAINEAC]

Update to Accident

Trooper: Injured motorcyclists doing better; benefit planned in Cookeville

 

By Steve Fuller

The Republican Journal Reporter

 

NORTHPORT (July 25): Two motorcyclists from Tennessee severely injured last week in a motorcycle crash are improving, according to the Maine State Police trooper investigating the accident. Advertisement

 

 

“They are doing better,” said Maine State Police Trooper Corey Smith on Thursday, July 24, referring to Cecil and Linda Gentry. “I guess you would say they are considered stable.”

 

http://waldo.villagesoup.com/sharedpix/News/200807/P142322.jpgThe motorcycle after the crash (Photo by Tina Shute)

 

The crash remains under investigation, Smith said, and no charges have been brought against the driver of the vehicle that collided with the Gentrys’ motorcycle. Police are also awaiting the results of tests to determine if that driver, Karen Roberts, 51, of Belfast, may have had a medical condition which factored into the crash.

A friend of the Gentrys, Marsha Wolff confirmed Friday, July 25 that the Gentrys are in stable condition, but said they remain in an intensive care unit.

Wolff said both of the Gentrys lost their right legs as a result of the crash. Cecil Gentry, 62, was operating the motorcycle, and his wife Linda, also 62, was the passenger. They are from Cookeville, Tenn.

 

http://waldo.villagesoup.com/sharedpix/News/200807/P142324.jpgWaldo County Sheriff's Department Detective Matt Curtis, left, and Belfast Police Sgt. John Gibbs look at the wreckage. (Photo by Tina Shute)

 

Linda Gentry additionally suffered severe brain and pelvic injuries, Wolff said, and one of Cecil Gentry’s hands was badly injured.

Police said the Gentrys and another couple from Tennessee were driving south on Route 1 on separate motorcycles Friday, July 18, just before noon.

In front of Northport Marine, one of the motorcycles narrowly avoided crashing with Roberts' 2001 Chevrolet pickup truck when it veered into the southbound lane. Smith said the Gentrys were riding on the other motorcycle, a 2004 Harley Davidson, and collided with the truck.

 

http://waldo.villagesoup.com/sharedpix/News/200807/P142323.jpgThis vehicle, driven by Karen Roberts, 51, of Belfast, reportedly crossed the center line on Route 1 and struck a motorcycle driven by a Tennessee couple head-on. (Photo by Tina Shute)

 

Smith, the primary investigator for the crash, said both Gentrys were taken first to Waldo County General Hospital in Belfast and then LifeFlighted to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. Neither of the Gentrys was wearing a helmet when the crash occurred, according to Smith.

Smith said after the crash, Roberts continued driving the truck, which had lost a wheel in the crash, north on Route 1 to Belfast.

 

http://waldo.villagesoup.com/sharedpix/News/200807/P142327.jpgThe front passenger side wheel of the truck driven by Karen Roberts. (Photo by Tina Shute)

 

Belfast Police Chief Jeff Trafton said Patrolman Michael Rolerson stopped Roberts near the Little River Baptist Church on Route 1 in Belfast. The distance between Northport Marine and the Little River Baptist Church is approximately 3.2 miles, according to an online mapping service.

Trafton said Patrolmen Bryan Cunningham and Howard Dakin and Detective Michael McFadden assisted, and that Roberts was taken to WCGH by one of the Belfast officers. Trafton said his officers also brought blood test kits to the hospital so Roberts could be tested.

Smith and Maine State Police Lt. Gerard Madden said Roberts may have had a medical condition which factored into the crash. According to Smith, the Waldo County Regional Communications Center received a call about an erratic driver on Route 1 in Northport at 11:55 a.m. on the day the crash occurred. The accident occurred two minutes later.

 

http://waldo.villagesoup.com/sharedpix/News/200807/P142328.jpgWaldo County Sheriff's Department Detective Matt Curtis surveys the scene. (Photo by Tina Shute)

 

Madden said Smith will continue the investigation, then forward his completed report to the District Attorney’s Office for review. Madden said one key piece of the investigation will be for Smith to meet with and obtain statements from the victims. As of Thursday, July 24, Smith said he had not yet been able to meet with either of the Gentrys.

Wolff said Cecil Gentry retired earlier this year from Averitt Express, an international freight transportation company based in Cookeville. Linda Gentry retired within the past month or so from Identity Group, a custom business products company formerly known as Porelon and also located in Cookeville, Wolff said.

The Gentrys are part-owners of a The Hawg Barn, a restaurant in Cookeville that caters to motorcyclists. Wolff said they are active members of the community, often putting on benefits for people in need, veterans and children.

The Gentrys were fulfilling their “life dream,” Wolff said, by taking a motorcycle trip to Canada with their good friends and fellow Cookeville residents, Harry and Joann Stewart.

Wolff said she believed the Gentrys and Stewarts were headed home to Tennessee when the crash occurred.

The Stewarts stayed in Maine to be with their friends for most of the week following the accident, Wolff said, and they were expected to arrive back in Cookeville on the afternoon of Friday, July 25.

Cecil Gentry’s brother and other relatives have traveled to Maine to be with the injured couple.

Wolff said she and others are grateful for the “massive community response,” from people in both Tennessee and Maine. She said several people in the Bangor area offered family members a place to stay while their relatives remain hospitalized.

“From Cookeville, Tennessee, we really want to thank those people,” said Wolff.

In Cookeville, a motorcycle ride is planned for Sunday, July 27. It will end at The Hawg Barn, where there will be a huge benefit luncheon. Wolff said other local restaurants are helping out with the benefit and she said an account has been set up at a local bank, and the Gentrys’ former employers and coworkers have made financial contributions.

Those interested in helping the Gentry family and their friends may contact Wolff at (931) 858-6859 or Sharon or Dale Dyer at (931) 339-4373. They may also call The Hawg Barn at (931) 528-2337.

[Bummer]

Riley knows when he's going out of range. He can feel it and immediately takes action to change it, usually involving his Mom, the School Nurse, or me.

 

I'm still working on the difference between stereotyping as prejudice, and stereotyping as a successful learning experience. (Typed while occasionally rubbing the leg that Armando, who didn't see me, crushed with the bumper of his beater Neon.)

 

Look at it this way. Nobody put me in charge, and I'm not looking for the job. It's just an opinion.

[MAINEAC]

I agree with Bummer... Left and Right political stance is not specific to protecting Personal Freedoms anymore... The line has been crossed too many times and it's also not Party specific either... Right wing pols are taking away our rights every day (Patriot Act for example) and Left wing liberals are championing freedoms and rights (ACLU)...unless your talking about Libertarians which freedom is the core of their beliefs.. But it's gonna take a massive grass roots movement for the Libertarians to ever make a difference... I guess there isn't enough p*ssed off or informed people yet..

 

Kandaje I'm not criticizing you at all I know exactly where you're coming from and used to believe the same thing but times are a changing.

 

We really ought to quit the Politics tho or the Mods will shut this thread down

 

That's all folks