Got Some Not So Good News This Morning

[Bob_Roller]

I was informed this morning that the supervisor for day-shift this morning never showed up for his 5 am start. Left his home at 4:30 am on his Harley. We were notified at 7:40 am that he had been involved in a fatal collision on Interstate 10 about 6 miles from his home. He was hit from behind by a vehicle traveling at an estimated speed  in excess of 100 mph, the vehicle swerved but still hit him, and the rider and bike were sent into barrier cables that separate the east and west bound traffic. Initial police report was that he didn't survive the first impact with the cables. The bike had to be cut apart to remove it from the restraining cables.

[NC Steve]

Damn, Bob. I am very sorry.

If I may ask, what became of the operator of the other vehicle, traveling at 100+ mph at 4:30 a.m.?
I could speculate, but won't.

[Bob_Roller]

The driver of the cage ( Cadillac pick-up truck) was in his late teens-early 20's. That's all the information DPS ( Department of Public Safety, Arizona's version of Highway Patrol) doesn't release any information other than basic facts in a fatal motor vehicle incident, until a final report is made public usually in 4-8 weeks, depending on the complexity of the incident. No mention of an impaired driver has been made.

[MrRiden]

I assume he must have been on the west side, only place on the 10 I can think of that still has cables for a barrier. Small world. I was on the 10/60 at 7am. Nary a soul on the road.

[Bob_Roller]

Yeah Rich, it was at 83rd Ave and I-10.

[Jon_P]

hate to ask but i notice that 99% of the HD riders around these parts dont wear a helmet, was he wearing a helmet? sounds like one of those that nothing but a steel cage would have helped.

sorry for your loss. i have never liked to hear when a rider goes down.

[Bob_Roller]

Jon, he was one that preached AGATT incessantly to the riders here at work, as we reside in a climate that is conducive to riding all year long, and have a fair amount of riders in the work force (about 75). He always wore proper protection, full leathers in cool weather, and the Joe Rocket mesh type during the hot season, and always wore a Snell rated full face helmet. There's just some situations that you just can't protect your self from without steel around you. These barrier cables have become controversial in the last 5 years or so, a lot  of horrific incidents have resulted because of their use. They were installed because it was less costly than installing concrete barriers between opposite direction traffic on urban expressways here in the Phoenix metro area.

[MrRiden]

Bob,
Steel cables are not motorcycle friendly.  For that matter if you ever ride up Hayden around Jackrabbit they have these huge stones for the median landscaping. A friend tangled with the curb there and went flopping around in the boulders at speed. He survived but 2 years later he's still not right. Ride safe, minimize your risk by choosing your time and place to travel (I was taught this in flight school) and always use appropriate gear. Then realize all this may not be enough.

[Bob_Roller]

This incident has me contemplating installation of more lighting to the rear on both bikes.

[msbuck]

   Terrible news.  Sounds like he was doing all the right things, but it didn't matter this time.  I firmly believe that when you're time is up it doesn't matter what precautions, protective gear, etc you've prepared with.  But I ALWAYS ride ATGATT.  Have to do what you can anyway.  I can think of worse ways to leave this world.  You know he was doing what he loved and he might not have even seen it coming...  

The problems around here with young drivers are getting worse and worse.  It's hard enough to learn the skills it takes to drive without all the present day distractions (cellphones, high-tech vehicles, etc.) They installed the cables around here years ago touting their safety  - keeping the cages from crossing over into the opposite travel lanes.  They are supposedly better than the guard rails (which they replaced) but I've just recently begun hearing the horror stories with these and motorcycles...  

[Justin B.]

Major bummer, it's probable that if a hit at that speed would be an iffy proposition even if enclosed in a cage...

[Bob_Roller]

We found out this afternoon just before I left work, that the driver of the Cadillac, has been formally charged with murder, and his bail was set at $2,000,000 , so there must be more to this story. These cables have cut cages apart in some instances, but 'they' claim that these cables save more lives, by preventing head-on collisions, than they take .

[Justin B.]

Stolen/car-jacked vehicle?

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Sorry to hear that, Bob.  I hope he never felt it.  God knows he must not have suffered long.

I would be raising some MAJOR F....ING noise over those cables.  I have never heard of such a thing.  Sounds like another lame government idea.


I saw two crazy drivers while I was out riding today.  And one of them came up from behind me at a high rate on the interstate!

The other one was oncoming on a curvy minor road, and he was testing his cornering prowess right in front of me!!!      

[suecanada]

So terribly sorry to hear this news. I sure hope he didn't know what hit him but the fact is he should, could, whatever..have had many more years of doing what he loved.  As I prepare to leave for NC on Sunday just maybe some good.(hard to figure though) will come out of this tragedy if it even reminds me once more to look behind me to see if some horrible event if unfolding with me in the cross-hairs!  I know there are just some times that nothin' but nothin' will save me though, no matter what! If one is the praying type then do that...just hope that my luck isn't up yet.  God rest his soul in peace and to his family, please ease the hurt with whatever you got.