Lost Brother

[pirate]

Sorry to hear about the loss. You never know when that could happen. Here in ND, we are experiencing a huge oil boom, so there is a ton of truck traffic on our highways. I had a close run-in with one the other evening, as he pulled onto the highway from a side road without stopping, and he didn't see me at all until he was halfway into the turn. Luckily I had enough space to slow down, but you always have to be alert.

[billmac]

Sorry for your loss. Your grief is shared by us all.

[Cajunrider]

So sorry to hear about your loss. My condolences to you and his family. God bless.

Mitch

[paul]

Hate to hear. Our prayers to his family, and a moment of silence for the fallen.

[ringadingh]

Im very sorry to here about your loss, you have my condolences. Ride safe.

[ringadingh]

A gentleman I work with was hit while on his bike, about two weeks ago. Bob is a great guy, just a great guy, and I remember him talking about wanting to get a Harley for years. Finally, last year sometime he ponied up and got a Custom Sportster. (If I were to own a Harley, it would be a Sportster, that's for sure.)

Bob was coming down a street, very wide, plenty of visibility, speed limit right around 40mph. This girl just pulled out in front of him from the side street perpendicular on his left. She saw him coming on the bike, and raced her car to get out in front of him, but it just didn't happen. The bike is totaled, and he broke his left foot (in a brace), and on his right hand he wound up with compound breaks of three of his metacarpals. The doctor has already informed him he'll be able to use his right hand somewhat, but he'll never play a musical instrument again with that hand.

The girl's car was brand new. She had taken out insurance long enough to get the car, after which she immediately dropped the insurance. She's a single, unwed mother, at the ripe old age of 24. She works at McDonald's, and was racing to get to work at the time so that she wouldn't be late. Fortunately for Bob, she still lives at home, and her parents count her as a dependant. Of course, after he sues her parents, I'm sure she'll be yet even more indignant about that sonofabitch on the motorcycle that hit her car.

You know, I remember growing up very, very poor. My mother was divorced, and stuck with my brother and I at an early age. There was money for nothing. We had clothes to wear, and food to eat, and counted ourselves lucky. But, you know what? My mother never, ever in her life strayed outside the lines. She always followed the rules, paid her bills, and never, ever accepted charity. Everything turned out fine for us. This cheap ass kid bucking the system because she wanted the car, but didn't want to pay for the insurance makes me want to puke.

Watch your tails out there. Peace.

Sounds like this girl is in for a poor miserable life, making plenty of wrong choices. I hope Bob squeezes every cent he can out of her for all the suffering she's putting him through.

[VulcanE]

Very sorry to here of the loss of your riding buddy, my condolences to you and his family, Ride safe and get a headlight modulator. It might help?

[oldbikers]

Sorry to hear that Johnny please pass our condolences on to his family.

[waterman]

Sorry to hear about your loss. Just remember the good times.

-^-

[jussmatt]

Johnny...sorry to hear the sad news!! You're right... it is a grim reminder!!

Berk... tell Bob to keep his head up and not loose his faith!! It could have been a lot worse!! I do hope he get's fairly compensated though!!! Kids...they'll never learn!

[burkazoid]

Originally Posted by JussMatt

Berk... tell Bob to keep his head up and not loose his faith!! It could have been a lot worse!! I do hope he get's fairly compensated though!!! Kids...they'll never learn!

From what I understand, his insurance company is footing a lot of the bill in the interim, and he's going to be getting a brand new bike out of it. I believe he told me this following week he will get the brace off his foot. Some progress there. Not sure about the hand, though. I'll have to ask him about that.

It totally took me by surprise. He's an experienced rider, years longer than me. He and his son both had matching sportsters, and I know he took a lot of joy out of riding with his son.

This is just one of those things that you squeak by, and never ever forget. I've had a couple of close calls, and consequently I'm uber-paranoid when I'm riding on the street. Traffic around here is just terrible though.

[Idaho]

My sympathies Johnny. I am so sorry for your loss. God's Peace be with you.

[biscuitsngravy]

Loss of life is difficult for all those left behind. My condolences to the family and those who are friends and brothers. BnG