Big bike wreck

[cactusjack]

I just saw on one of the local news sites that a dump truck ran into a group of 10 riders on the Carefree Hwy (NW Phoenix). Details are sketchy, but 3 riders are dead, more are critical. I'll post more info on this horrible situation as soon as I have something more to report.

Here's more:

FD: 5 dead, 5 hurt in HUGE wreck on Carefree Highway
Reported by: Katrina Wessman
Last Update: 2:03 pm
PHOENIX – Five people are dead and five others are critical following a massive wreck in north Phoenix.

Daisy Mountain and Phoenix fire departments are both at the scene of the accident near 27th Drive and Carefree Highway.

Captain Phil Dyer with the Daisy Mountain Fire Department said the wreck happened around 1 p.m. when a group of motorcycles was hit by a semi or large vehicle and other vehicles.

Dyer said several people were trapped after the impact, and five of them were killed.

A worker at the nearby Ketzal Mexican Grill said the accident happened right in front of the restaurant. The worker said firefighters put out a fire in a dump truck. He added several motorcycles are wedged underneath the dump truck.

At least five motorcycles and one truck can be seen with damage from overhead Air15 video.

Two medical helicopters are at the scene along with several ambulances.

Carefree Highway is blocked in both directions from 27th Avenue to Interstate 17. Frank Solomon with the Phoenix said the roadway is expected to be closed for a few hours.

[bigsid1]

WOW!!! I saw the video from a chopper. It almost looks like the bikes were at a stop light and were rear ended. What a tragedy.

[cactusjack]

I just heard 3 dead and the bikes ran into the dump truck. I suppose it will be awhile until this gets sorted out.

[MarkG]

The riders were stopped at a light and the truck hit them from behind dragging them 50 to 75 yards. Three dead and six critically injured. The news was just on and it was hard to watch the video.

[bigsid1]

Vehicular homicide charges should be filed.

[cactusjack]

Apparently, there were vehicles stopped at the light and the motorcycles were stopped behind them. The truck pushed the bikes into the backs of the other vehicles.

Update:

Tania Krukoff, an employee at a nearby Walgreen's, said she was returning from a nearby gas station when she came upon the accident and talked to the driver of the truck.

"He was in shock," Krukoff said. "He (said) he wasn't paying attention, just shuffling with his paperwork."

[Cajunrider]

It doesn't get any worse than that. If a bike or anything is stopped close behind another vehicle it would be pretty difficult to avoid something like this. I always try to leave at least 1/2 of a car length or more between myself and the vehicle in front and never stop in the center of the lane. Sometimes I slip up and trap myself but not very often.

[ballast]

He was going hard enough to push the bikes into the car in front of them. This idiot would have run through whatever was sitting at that light. Charges really do need to be filed.

[Cajunrider]

I agree Charlie. This guy needs to spend some time in jail if it weren't some type of mechanical failure like his brakes. I doubt it because air brakes fail in the locked mode. No air, no move or roll. Wheels are locked tight. I try to leave a space between me and the vehicle in front of me at a traffic light or stop sign just to possibly give me an out if I see someone bearing down on me in my mirrors. Still don't have much of a chance to move unless you see it coming way in advance.

[rayski271]

i had a semi come up on me at a stop light i was waiting in left turn lane heard brakes screech behind me looked in mirror and here comes asemi with no intentions of stopping i looked for an out and ended up cranking bike to the right to get out of the way just as he hit intersection and tried to turn left truck hit a car a kept going turns out he was drunk as hell running from the law they got him about two miles from there talk about pucker facter my prayers go out to the familys of those who lost there loved ones and everybody lets be careful out there

[cnc]

Here is a link to the news story. Those poor people. If nothing else I hope this reminds us all to try to leave a way out, leave the bike in gear, and watch your rear view mirrors when stopped at a light. I know most of us know this, and in this case there may have been too many bikes to get out of the way, but I know I will be a little more cautious when stopped at intersections.

http://www.statesman.com/news/nation...431.html?imw=Y

[cactusjack]

I have ridden with some of the riders involved in this accident in the past. They were just acquaintances, but it's much harder when you can put a face with a name.

Frankly, I am surprised the newspaper hasn't stated who was wearing a helmet and who wasn't. I don't think it would have made a difference in this case.

[dantama]

Not to cast doubt on those injured and killed, but just for future options in similar situations...


We probably all get caught stopping too close to a car in front of us at times, but if something is going to hit you from behind, go anyway!




Ideal would be going around and out of the way like on the left, but if you are too close, and can't run up the middle like on the right, go anyway! You might, or might not, hurt your right leg, and you'll have to pay for the damage to the car you smacked into, but it's far more preferable than getting smashed into the back of the SUV.

It'll be your poor judgment that got you smashed into the side of the car, the bike will be damaged badly, but you will fair much better than getting sandwiched and ran over.

If someone is going to smash you from behind, GO! And you can do it faster letting out the clutch and giving it the gas, than you will thinking that you can jump off the bike and run as I've heard others say at times.

[glwilson]

What terrible news.

Dan has really good points about situations like this.

It is the posting of this type of advice that keeps these thoughts of "avoidance" fresh in our minds.

It is easy to become complacent in our awareness at any time; or when in or on any vehicle.

I appreciate these posts of both the "horrific-news"; and the advice relative to the news... as that keeps good habits of riding nearer the top of our minds. ;)

[cactusjack]

I watch my mirrors when I'm stopped in traffic. If I see a vehicle approaching from behind, I flash my brake lights several times. Usually, cars will stop well behind, leaving plenty of room. This situation is one of my biggest fears on urban freeways, when traffic can often stop quickly and for no apparent reason. All it takes is some driver dinking with the radio or cell phone or coffee mug or whatever else, and you're toast.

These were all very experienced riders. We'll probably never know why they didn't get out of the way. I'm guessing they didn't even see it coming.