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Posted on 06/22/2005 8:02:47 AM PDT by Theodore R.
Airman dies after motorcycle collides with van
By Juliette Rule rep9@wyomingnews.com Published in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle
CHEYENNE - She stopped and looked both ways, but she didn't see the motorcyclist. He couldn't stop in time to avoid crashing his new Yamaha motorcycle into the van.
The crash happened about 5 p.m. Monday at the intersection of Powderhouse and Four Mile roads. Airman Justin R. Souza died at the scene. The van's driver, Donna Martin, wasn't hurt, according to the Wyoming Highway Patrol.
Martin hasn't been cited in connection with the crash, but that could be pending.
The intersection is controlled by a stop sign on Powderhouse Road, on which Martin, 49, was southbound. Souza had the right of way as he was eastbound on Four Mile Road. The speed limit on Four Mile Road is 50 mph, and there's no reason to believe he was traveling faster than that, Sgt. Steve Townsend said.
Souza, 21, crashed into the passenger side of Martin's 1996 Pontiac van. He was wearing a helmet, and that doesn't surprise his friend.
"He was always safe about stuff," Airman 1st Class Jess Blanda said Tuesday. "He always made us wear our seat belts in the car when we were riding around with him."
Maybe the need to be safe was promoted by Souza's military career, through which he was assigned to security forces at F.E. Warren Air Force Base. Still, Souza was more sincere than others when it came to safety, Blanda said.
The young men had much in common, including rank, but it was just chance or luck that brought both to Cheyenne. The two men graduated from the same Indiana high school in Mishawaka, a town east of South Bend.
It was a bit of a surprise when they learned they were meeting the same recruiter. Souza graduated in 2002, Blanda a year later. They seemed to be in a career lockstep, at least as far as base assignments went, Blanda said.
It seemed wherever one was stationed, the other soon would show up. It happened in Missouri, then again in Texas, then in Cheyenne, Blanda said.
Blanda learned Souza was stationed here after a church softball game last summer. Both were home on leave. They were on opposing teams, and after the game, Souza's father greeted Blanda.
"I couldn't believe we were both here," Blanda said.
At home, both worked at the city's ice rink as ring guards. When they realized they each had a friend at F.E. Warren last fall, they organized a skating outing. Although both loved to skate, it was the only time they skated together at the IKON Center, Blanda said.
The two hung out through the fall, winter and spring. They talked about cars. It was something both enjoyed, but that's where the similarity ended. Souza was into tricked-out Hondas. Blanda favors classic muscle cars, he said.
Souza's faded, but stylishly ratty, jeans were a trademark.
"He always tried to be stylish," Blanda said. "Those holey jeans that are supposed to be stylish."
He held some admiration for Souza's style though.
"He was one of the few guys brave enough to wear pink," he said. "Yeah, on base, too."
On Monday, Souza was on his bright yellow Yamaha. It must have been new, Blanda said, because he didn't know his friend had a motorcycle.
The force of the crash ejected Souza from the motorcycle.
"He just couldn't avoid the collision," Townsend said.
Alcohol isn't being considered a factor in the crash.
"This is definitely hurtful to hear," Blanda said. "I just wanted to be sure (it was Souza) before I said anything more to anyone about it."
"...but she didn't see the motorcyclist"
that's what they always say
How much do you want to bet that she was yapping on her cell phone?
My father, who would have 91 today, always warned me to watch after the "other fellow" even if one is following the rules himself. Too bad this motorcyclist was not looking out closely for the van. He just assumed that the van driver would obey the sign, I would imagine.
Hooligan List PING.
I have the same question.. can you turn them on and off because that would be like strobe light at night, huh?
I do like the idea though ..
It must have been new, Blanda said, because he didn't know his friend had a motorcycle.
It's difficult to discern from this article if the airman was an experienced rider or a relative newcomer to the sport. The latest crop of crotch rockets have very powerful and terriby sensitive brakes which can be difficult to manage in a panic situation.
Sad bump . . .
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It's not legal to strobe them at night, and the units I've seen have a photosensor that automatically turns the flickering off at night or in tunnels.
Very sad story about Airman Justin R. Souza who was killed. It sounds like he was definitely one of the "good guys" atop the fence protecting our freedom and liberty with little fanfare and acknowledgement.
Pylot, that device called the Pathblazer looks very interesting. All these years I had been thinking that a headlight modulator was a separate device that had to be installed into the electrical system...I had no idea it was actually incorporated into the bulb itself for plug n' go simplicity.
Interestingly, both the Pathblazer and the Tailblazer (brake lamp) advertise that they're considerably brighter than stock and have a longer life. Sounds like there are no disadvantages to the investment except for the high initial cost. I'm a bit of a safety nut when it comes to motorcycles, so that is welcomed good news.
~ Blue Jays ~
that's what they always say
That's being a little rough on her - I've had to do a double-take on approaching motorcycles more than once.
Between the comfortably-numb types, the auto-DVD players and the cell phones, it's never ending battle to get the 'cagers to see us. Still, defensive driving is the best way to survive...
Drivers are kind of funny about any vehicle that is not a car or truck. I'm a competitive bicyclist and I've had people pull in front of me from their driveways when I'm descending a hill at 40 m.p.h. while wearing a white racing helmet and day-glo yellow cycling jersey atop a blue bicycle. It's not a vehicle capable of killing them, so their subconcious mind says: "...I fully see the approaching vehicle, but it's not bigger or heavier than me. Go!..."
The nice thing about a motorcycle is that additional steps can be taken to make one even more conspicuous than can be done on a bicycle. At the same time, motorists need to pull their collective heads out of their butts and start "seeing" motorcycles in their conscious mind. Start categorizing fatal accidents as involuntary manslaughter and have people land in jail and I think "vision" will start improving immediately.
~ Blue Jays ~
Will not do any good at intersections, where the majority of fatalities occurr. Look both ways while approaching an intersection, and have your foot, hand on the brakes, at the ready. Do this at every intersection and your chances of survival will double. Goes the same for cars. Take foot off the acclerator and put foot over brake on approach to intersections. It can save your life.
Intersections are big killers.
I appreciate your advice.
The unit is making a huge difference at intersections where the driver is already stopped.
I am always leery of the intersection where someone may be timing a stop light or pushing a yellow or going so fast that they just appear.
Nothing is a perfect safety cure. I guess if I wanted to be really safe I would just stay at home. But every little bit helps. I have always worn boots, leathers, gloves and a helmet. Even when I first began riding 35+ years ago.
Fortunately I do look out for the other guy or else the lady driving the Expedition who passed me on the right and then changed lanes before her bumper even cleared my front axle would have gotten me.
I pulled up next to her at the light, told her she nearly killed me and you KNOW what she said, right?
No, but the advice I gave you is probably the best, and can and will save lives. Don't count on a light.
People pull right out in front of large cars, trains and trucks, and generally say the same thing. "I didn't see them". Remember, more are killed in cars at intersections then motorcycles. Stop accelerating on approach to intersections, and have that foot/hand over the brake, at the ready.
Red lights and stop signs mean little.
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