Posted on 08/11/2009 5:27:57 PM PDT by Amerigomag
A motorcyclist was killed Monday in a collision with a motor home on Highway 101’s Conejo Grade after he slowed rapidly in front of the recreational vehicle in an apparent road-rage incident, authorities said.
The motorcyclist, a 57-year-old Ventura man, was killed about 12:22 p.m. on southbound Highway 101 near Camarillo Springs Road when he collided with a roughly 30-foot motor home driven by Michael Antoine, 68, of Thousand Oaks, said Officer Terry Uhrich of the California Highway Patrol’s Moorpark office.
The motorcyclist and Antoine were both traveling about 55 mph when the collision occurred in the right lane, authorities said. Witnesses and Antoine later told authorities that the motorcyclist had made obscene hand gestures, pulled in front of the motor home, then slowed down dramatically, Uhrich said.
Antoine did not have time to react and struck the back of the low-slung custom motorcycle, causing it to become stuck under the front of the RV, authorities said. The motorcyclist was thrown from the bike, run over by the motor home and dragged underneath for about 75 feet, Uhrich said. Unable to steer, Antoine continued about 500 feet and hit the center divider, Uhrich said.
(Excerpt) Read more at venturacountystar.com ...
Guess this dude was not wise.
No, MOTORCYCLISTS need to remember that if they drive as if the other vehicles on the road can't see them, they have a 50/50 chance of surviving! Motorcyclists need to ride as if they're in "DeathRace 2000," and the other drivers get extra points for killing the biker! I've had cars rear-end me 3 different times while I was driving my car while stopped at a stop light! Had I been on my bike, I would have been killed all 3 times. I simply don't know how to make my Toyota "more visible" to other drivers!
And in this case, from the witness accounts, it sounds like the guy on the bike tried to "freak out" the RV driver, while forgetting the very simple, but important fact, that bikes stop a whole lot quicker than just about any 4 wheel vehicle. Which is why it's so important to know what's going on behind you while you're riding a bike.
Mark
Uh, I was referring to this site, on this thread and the posts by members on *this* thread, right here, right now. lol...
Really? Was he about 57 years old, and riding a $35k bike? Or was it one of those Daytona week warriors proving how tough they are?
I do not believe this happened the way it is being portrayed.
Based on what? Thin air?
There were witnessed that backed up the RV drivers statement.
Based on 42 years of MC riding experience
It really doesn't matter if your a astronaut, with 6 missions to the lunar surface.
Based on the article, the fact is there were *witnesses* that witnessed the biker flip off the MH, and then slow abruptly directly in front of it.
wow...
Why would the witnesses on scene, lie about the events?
In addition to totally ignoring what the witnesses on scene stated, you seem to have reading difficulties.
From the article: The motorcyclist and Antoine were both traveling about 55 mph when the collision occurred in the right lane,
Yes, it does matter. That you say it doesn’t, means you know nothing, you only have an opinion.
Even if the witnesses were in separate vehicles, witnesses make mistakes all the time. Where were the witnesses? Behind the RV, to the side of the RV, in front of the RV, in the opposing lanes?
Yes, about 55, was that at the time of impact, or was that their constant speed? Based on what? The RV’ers’ statement? Or the skid marks? I took that into account. Read what my likely scenario says.
“WITNESSES”
Again, reporting is what you make it. Who’s to say who those witnesses were? A passengers in the motorhome with the driver could be witnesses.
I am not saying the biker didn’t do exactly as reported, I’m just skeptical of any report on anything. I’ve seen far too many media reports, even ones based on police statements, that turned out to be absolutely and completely wrong.
Again, the shooting in Pittsburgh just last week was reported by police to be a domestic dispute originally.. at least according to the initial published reports. Only later was it stated it was a lone gunman acting against random individuals.
Healthy skepticism to initial reports in particular is just prudent advice.
Are you daft? It does matter what witnesses stated on scene, and it totally substantiates what the RV driver stated as reported here.
In addition, I have voiced no opinion to you, and unlike *YOU* have only made made comments *based* on statements made in the article.
BS. One of the first rules of riding a motorcycle is to assume you are completely invisible to cars and ride appropriately. If you are putting yourself in a position where you are relying on a cage to see you and react appropriately, you are good as dead.
The poster is quoting people from a completely different forum, not this one.
The sad fact is, you can be the best motorcycle rider on the planet, and play like no one can see ya, and the old lady, or anyone else can still left into your direction of travel and launch you into a grave in a split second, and nothing can be done about it.
You are correct as to the attitude that *might* save your life while on the road. I personally ride like I am invisible, but those that CAN see me are TRYING to kill me!
That said, it is quite apparent to me that this mo-ho driver did something, or some series of things, that got the M/C rider SOOO worked up that the rules of self-preservation were tragically and momentarily forgotten.
Like none of us have ever forgotten ourselves....
Perhaps because the witnesses were IN THE MOTORHOME?
No, they wouldn’t have ANY kind of bias now, could they?
Gezz, more speculation, outside the article.
It may shock you, but occupants of a vehicle involved in a collision are not considered witnesses, but occupants. Clearly the article did not say "Occupants riding inside the RV, agreed with the driver".
LOL!
By your rationalization/speculation, the driver could also be considered a "witness" to the collision. But that wouldn't be accurate, as the driver is the driver, and occupants are occupants and "witnesses" are witnesses.
That's how they are listed on collision reports also.
You get D- for spin and wild speculation though.
Read the ENTIRE article, not just what you WANT to see.
SHee-it, I thought FReepers had the ability to think.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.