Motorcyclist Hit By Car, Killed On (Milwaukee's) East Side

I never wear one these days either. Comfort is a consideration, but having been so involved in getting Connecticut’s helmet law repealed over 30 years ago, I’m pretty much invested in the individual rights issues concerning motorcyclists. I suppose I’ll need to buy one if I ever want to leave Florida. but I’ll wear it in protest, not because of any safety issue.
Back in the early 70’s, when CT’s helmet law was still in effect, my ex and I were riding double on the interstate. I was aware of a semi to my right, but lost track of him while approaching a toll booth. All of a sudden I felt the wife’s fingernails dig into my shoulders and I barely heard her screem. I glanced right and there 6” from my elbow was the front left tire of the truck. a quick mirror check and hard throttle saved our lives as I dove left scraping pegs at 50 mph. I guess he didn’t see me.......

Its nice to live in a state that gives you a choice.

I own a few helmets. Rarely do I ride the dirtbike without wearing one. On long trips, I'll wear one. I do enjoy the putts down to the lakefront without a helmet though. It cleanses the soul . . .

I’m guessing that it will be relevant to the woman who was under the influence and caused the whole deal

Not in Wisconsin, at least not monetarily. Tort reform in Wisconsin limits Wrongful Death judgments to $350,000 for an adult, $500,000 for a child.

She could very well engender the court's sympathy and walk away from this with her driving privileges intact. Her premiums may go up . . .

No, Mike wasn’t wearing a helmet. However, a helmet would not have saved him from the massive internal injuries sustained on impact that caused internal bleeding. I agree that the helmet issue should be saved for another thread. Mike was an innocent victim who was in the clear line of vision (not her blind spot)of the driver. The problem is that when you are drunk...your entire field of vision is one big blind spot. It’s sad that a good time on vacation with friends has ended so tragically. Mike will be missed by many!

My condolences for your loss. Please tell Michael Fleming’s family they are in our thoughts and prayers. If I can offer the family any help here in Milwaukee please contact me.

Charges expected today in death of biker

Charges are expected today against a suspected drunken driver who struck and killed a Harley-Davidson motorcyclist Friday on the east side, according to the Milwaukee County district attorney’s office.

The victim has been identified as Michael V. Fleming, 55, of Ann Arbor, Mich., who was in town for Harley’s 105th Anniversary Celebration.

Fleming, who was retired, loved his Harley Electra Glide Classic and his 2007 California Mustang. But more than the open road, he was dedicated to his family.

When his elderly father became too sick to live on his own, Fleming took him in, said Ron Betts, who met Fleming through a Michigan Harley Owners Group 12 years ago.

When his cousin’s husband had surgery for lung cancer in May, Fleming temporarily moved in with them.

“I don’t know what I would have done without him,” said his cousin, Dora LaValley of Canton, Mich.

Fleming spent countless hours at the hospital with LaValley, even in the middle of the night. When she had to return to work, Fleming cared for her husband.

“He was a very wonderful, kind and loving person,” LaValley said of her cousin.

Fleming had previously visited Milwaukee for Harley’s 95th and 100th anniversary celebrations, said Betts, 60, of Brighton, Mich. On this trip, Fleming joined Betts and another friend on the roof of their hotel Thursday evening, where they smoked cigars, ate pizza and talked.

The next afternoon, the friends were eastbound on North Ave., on their way to see a Harley dealership, when a 61-year-old woman attempted to make a right turn from Humboldt Blvd.

“I saw this car hit an eight-inch curb, she went up on the sidewalk and came up behind me. I thought she missed Mike,” Betts said. “I saw her keep going down the road. When I looked back I saw him lying in the road, the bike next to him.”

Fleming died en route to the hospital, according to the medical examiner’s report.

In the aftermath of the crash, people went out of their way to help, Betts said.

A biker who had been getting gas nearby chased the car down the block and grabbed the keys out of the ignition. A couple who lived in the area invited Fleming’s friends into their home. A taxi driver who had witnessed the collision dropped off his fare, then returned to the scene. And after Fleming’s death, people who didn’t know him contributed to a makeshift memorial at the intersection.

Although Fleming was not wearing a helmet, his injuries were so extensive a helmet likely would not have saved him, Betts said. It angered him that anyone would try to deflect the blame for Fleming’s death away from the woman who hit him.

From http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=789614

Woman charged in Harley rider's death
A 61-year-old Milwaukee woman's blood alcohol concentration may been nearly three times the legal limit when she ran a red light and struck and killed a Harley-Davidson motorcyclist on Friday, according to a complaint issued today.

Kathleen Boland, of the 2300 block of N. Humboldt Blvd., is charged with one count of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and one count of homicide by use of a vehicle while operating with a prohibited blood alcohol concentration. According to the complaint, her blood alcohol concentration was 0.182 more than an hour after the crash occurred.

Investigators estimated her blood alcohol level at the time of the accident to be at least 0.202 and at most 0.232.

In Wisconsin, a level of 0.08 is considered evidence of intoxication.

Michael V. Fleming, 55, of Ann Arbor, Mich., was struck about 2:15 p.m. Friday as he and a group of riders were heading east on E. North Ave. at N. Humboldt Blvd. He died of injuries to his head and torso on the way to the hospital.

According to the complaint, Boland, heading south of Humboldt, ran a red light and swerved wide as she turned right onto North.

Her 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis hit the south curb of North Ave. then sped up as she hit Fleming while she attempted to move into the westbound lane.

A witness told police he saw Boland holding the sides of her head and mouthing the words “Oh my God” as she brought her car to a stop, according to the complaint.

The criminal complaint can be read here: (requires Adobe Reader)
http://media2.620wtmj.com/breakingnews/2008-09-02%20COMP%20Complaint%20~Boland,Kathleen~~08XF6079.pdf

Thanks for the Ping ~ prayers for the family.

I wanted to respond to all who posted regarding the issue of Michael Fleming wearing his helmet or not. As the niece of the woman who killed this wonderful man I place the blame solely at her feet. My aunt chose to drink and drive without any regard for others on the road. As the daughter of parents who rode in this celebration I am outraged. I love my Aunt but believe that she needs to be held accountable for her actions. Please don’t put any responsibility on Mr. Fleming. People should be able to ride a bike,cycle, go for a walk or even drive a car without fear that someone will run you down. Our family has Mr. Fleming and his family and friends in our prayers. Thank you

I was forwarded the message below from the cousin of Mike Fleming in response to comments on this thread. Please see below:

I am the cousin of Mike Fleming and I have been reading your comments on the helmet issue. I find it very hard to believe that it is even an issue. The point here is this person choose to drink and drive and her blood alcohol level was 3 times the legal limit, at the time she killed my buddy and almost his friends. That is the issue here! His injury’s where so extensive to his upper body he didn’t have a chance. She took from us a man who could make you laugh, joked all the time and a man who LOVED his family and friends and that is the issue people… HE HAD A LIFE! This is all her fault not Mikey’s. So please put the blame where it belongs…ON HER. I loved Mike and there is a hole in my heart where he used to be. Now, only the memories remain there. We all will forever miss him... Missing you Mikey