Another Hawk down caused by drunk hit-and-run driver
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5
From: Bay Area
Another Hawk down caused by drunk hit-and-run driver
I had my accident on Monday (two days ago). While I was composing my post about the accident, I saw the sad news about the tragic loss of Blue Ridge Boy. It was such a terrible loss of a fine young man, and my heartfelt condolences go to the father and the family. All of a sudden my own accident seemed so trivial, as I was able to walk away from the crash. I felt that my event was perhaps not worth mentioning, and I held off on posting about it for a couple days. Nevertheless, I think perhaps I should still share my story, at least as a reminder of the fact that there are so many reckless people driving on the roads.
I've read horror stories here about cars hitting motorcycles and driving away. Well, that’s happened to me on Monday morning, and it was quite an incredible experience. I was riding my yellow SH to work. I was in the car-pool lane (the left-most lane of the highway) on Highway 280 close to Palo Alto, going with the flow of the traffic, which was moving around 60-70 mph. All of a sudden, something big hit me from behind, and the bike fell down. I hit the ground with my back, and started gliding on the pavement, with the bike gliding in front of me. It was kind of a deja vu moment. As I was gliding and wondering what hit me, I saw the rear bumper of a big pickup truck as it was speeding away. I figured that it must be what hit me, but I was too busy gliding to get a good look of the license plate. I think I slid for more than 150ft, and it felt so long. All the time while sliding I was worried that I might veer off into the next lane and get in the way of some cars. Fortunately the cars behind me all stopped and I did not get run over. After I and the bike came to a stop, people rushed over to help me. One witness identified the truck that hit me as a GMC Sierra 2500. Another witness told me that the truck was passing another car in the car-pool lane from the left shoulder of the road immediately before it hit me, and the guy in the truck was holding up a booze bottle while making the crazy moves. Unfortunately, no one at the scene got the license plate number of that truck. That ***-hole drunk hit-and-run driver must have really stepped on the gas to get away after hitting me.
Fortunately, I was able to stand up and walk around. The backpack on my back and my laptop in the bag really saved my skin, but the backpack was worn through and the laptop was damaged. My pants were torn to shreds, and I have severe road rash on my butt, but the knee/shin guards I wore prevented damages to my knees. My elbows also lost some skin, due to the impact with the elbow protection in my jacket. I feel extremely lucky for not being killed, considering how brutal the impact was and that I was surrounded by cars when the bike fell.
The bike, however, was broken beyond salvaging, I think. Both exhaust slip-on pipes were crushed and fell off. The rear end was smashed. The crank case cover was crushed and oil was everywhere. Gas leaked out. The right-side fairing and seat cowling were ground through to expose gaping holes, and the foot pegs and levers were all broken off. It was like adding insult to injury when the insurance company told me that I’d have to pay out of my own pocket for the $365 towing charges for the wrecked bike unless the hit-and-run driver is caught.
While I was being questioned by the firemen and police at the accident scene, the police received a transmission saying that they stopped a pickup that might be the one that hit me. Later the police confirmed that they did catch the ******* driver. I was told that a lady followed the truck as it was fleeting from the accident, got its license number, and called the police, and the police caught him not far from his house about 20 miles from the accident site. This guy admitted that he was looking at the top of his tequila bottle when he hit me and he was moving at 70mph. This guy already has a DUI+hit-and-run record and has a suspended license. Also, his probation officer was looking for him for violation of probation. It’s amazing that this kind of trash person was allowed to get behind the steering wheel of a big truck and drive around recklessly in total disregard of the lives of other people on the road. I hope the DA will prosecute him and I’ll do everything I can to help put him behind bars. I also want to find a way to thank that lady who followed him to get the info needed to capture this guy. That’s such a cool thing she did.
I've been lurking around this forum reading posts but pretty much never posted anything before. It’s a pity that my SH is now gone, but I know how lucky I was that I did not get killed. The most troubling aspect of this accident, however, is that it just seems impossible to prevent accidents from happening when there are such crazy irresponsible drivers on the roads.
Cheers,
Kurt
I've read horror stories here about cars hitting motorcycles and driving away. Well, that’s happened to me on Monday morning, and it was quite an incredible experience. I was riding my yellow SH to work. I was in the car-pool lane (the left-most lane of the highway) on Highway 280 close to Palo Alto, going with the flow of the traffic, which was moving around 60-70 mph. All of a sudden, something big hit me from behind, and the bike fell down. I hit the ground with my back, and started gliding on the pavement, with the bike gliding in front of me. It was kind of a deja vu moment. As I was gliding and wondering what hit me, I saw the rear bumper of a big pickup truck as it was speeding away. I figured that it must be what hit me, but I was too busy gliding to get a good look of the license plate. I think I slid for more than 150ft, and it felt so long. All the time while sliding I was worried that I might veer off into the next lane and get in the way of some cars. Fortunately the cars behind me all stopped and I did not get run over. After I and the bike came to a stop, people rushed over to help me. One witness identified the truck that hit me as a GMC Sierra 2500. Another witness told me that the truck was passing another car in the car-pool lane from the left shoulder of the road immediately before it hit me, and the guy in the truck was holding up a booze bottle while making the crazy moves. Unfortunately, no one at the scene got the license plate number of that truck. That ***-hole drunk hit-and-run driver must have really stepped on the gas to get away after hitting me.
Fortunately, I was able to stand up and walk around. The backpack on my back and my laptop in the bag really saved my skin, but the backpack was worn through and the laptop was damaged. My pants were torn to shreds, and I have severe road rash on my butt, but the knee/shin guards I wore prevented damages to my knees. My elbows also lost some skin, due to the impact with the elbow protection in my jacket. I feel extremely lucky for not being killed, considering how brutal the impact was and that I was surrounded by cars when the bike fell.
The bike, however, was broken beyond salvaging, I think. Both exhaust slip-on pipes were crushed and fell off. The rear end was smashed. The crank case cover was crushed and oil was everywhere. Gas leaked out. The right-side fairing and seat cowling were ground through to expose gaping holes, and the foot pegs and levers were all broken off. It was like adding insult to injury when the insurance company told me that I’d have to pay out of my own pocket for the $365 towing charges for the wrecked bike unless the hit-and-run driver is caught.
While I was being questioned by the firemen and police at the accident scene, the police received a transmission saying that they stopped a pickup that might be the one that hit me. Later the police confirmed that they did catch the ******* driver. I was told that a lady followed the truck as it was fleeting from the accident, got its license number, and called the police, and the police caught him not far from his house about 20 miles from the accident site. This guy admitted that he was looking at the top of his tequila bottle when he hit me and he was moving at 70mph. This guy already has a DUI+hit-and-run record and has a suspended license. Also, his probation officer was looking for him for violation of probation. It’s amazing that this kind of trash person was allowed to get behind the steering wheel of a big truck and drive around recklessly in total disregard of the lives of other people on the road. I hope the DA will prosecute him and I’ll do everything I can to help put him behind bars. I also want to find a way to thank that lady who followed him to get the info needed to capture this guy. That’s such a cool thing she did.
I've been lurking around this forum reading posts but pretty much never posted anything before. It’s a pity that my SH is now gone, but I know how lucky I was that I did not get killed. The most troubling aspect of this accident, however, is that it just seems impossible to prevent accidents from happening when there are such crazy irresponsible drivers on the roads.
Cheers,
Kurt
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,631
From: Montreal
Glad to hear you`re ok, sucks about the bike. I hope the drunk gets what he deserves (though I wouldn`t hold my breath).
If I ever get hit by a drunk driver and manage to survive, I promise the guy (or gal) will pay for their error (and I don`t mean in court; a long and painful session with a baseball bat,...) for the rest of their lives.... if you`re drunk, don`t drive, NO exceptions!
If I ever get hit by a drunk driver and manage to survive, I promise the guy (or gal) will pay for their error (and I don`t mean in court; a long and painful session with a baseball bat,...) for the rest of their lives.... if you`re drunk, don`t drive, NO exceptions!
2nd mouse gets the cheese
SuperBike
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,697
From: Beaverton, OR
that sucks, glad you are ok... has the accident lead you to question riding again? Hope you heal up quick and kudos to the lady who chased him down for the license plate number. My wife has done that before for someone.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5
From: Bay Area
"has the accident lead you to question riding again?"
That's a great question. Since it will take weeks for my butt to heal, I guess I have some time to think about it.
I have to admit that the thought of not riding again did cross my mind after the accident. I feel very frustrated that there is not much I could do to prevent being hit by crazy irresponsible people like the one who hit me, and I wonder if I'll be as lucky the next time I get hit to come out alive.
The ironic thing is that I just got a 2005 RC51 three weeks ago, and now I don't know when in the future I will take it out of the garage.
Cheers,
Kurt
That's a great question. Since it will take weeks for my butt to heal, I guess I have some time to think about it.
I have to admit that the thought of not riding again did cross my mind after the accident. I feel very frustrated that there is not much I could do to prevent being hit by crazy irresponsible people like the one who hit me, and I wonder if I'll be as lucky the next time I get hit to come out alive.
The ironic thing is that I just got a 2005 RC51 three weeks ago, and now I don't know when in the future I will take it out of the garage.
Cheers,
Kurt
Senior Member
SuperSport
SuperSport
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 809
From: North Wales, PA
well he took his shot, and failed to finish the job. now its your turn. you might have to wait for him to get out of jail, but now you should get a chance at trying to kill him. the only difference is that you are smart enough to not drink before try to kill him. remember that kids. Don't drink and kill. you'll mess it up.
I don't need any Meds
Superstock
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 265
From: West Coast, SoCal Inland
insane. i know this will be a life changing event for you. Sorry to hear about the road rash but it is small compared to what could have happen in the situation you describe.
Considering riding again? think of it like this. what if you had been in a car in exactly the same spot at the exact same moment in time? he still would have plowed you, most likly sent you into some kind of roll over and hit many other cars. there was nothing you could do other then check your mirrors more often. but that day was your fate, wether it was in a car, truck, bike, plane, train. just be happy your fate was only meant for you to question something not kill you.
Keep riding. when it is your time it is your time. bus, plane, train, choke on a hamburger doesnt matter.
If worse comes to worse i would be interested in seeing some pictures of the rc51 and hearing a good price on it. but i would rather hear about you riding it.
5150
Considering riding again? think of it like this. what if you had been in a car in exactly the same spot at the exact same moment in time? he still would have plowed you, most likly sent you into some kind of roll over and hit many other cars. there was nothing you could do other then check your mirrors more often. but that day was your fate, wether it was in a car, truck, bike, plane, train. just be happy your fate was only meant for you to question something not kill you.
Keep riding. when it is your time it is your time. bus, plane, train, choke on a hamburger doesnt matter.
If worse comes to worse i would be interested in seeing some pictures of the rc51 and hearing a good price on it. but i would rather hear about you riding it.
5150
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,315
From: Richmond, Virginia
Glad you're relatively ok. Glad someone stepped up & helped catch this ***.
Sometimes people make mistakes. That's forgiveable. Driving drunk time after time is no mistake. I hope they get a lot of prison time, but probably won't happen.
Hope you get another bike & keep riding.
Sometimes people make mistakes. That's forgiveable. Driving drunk time after time is no mistake. I hope they get a lot of prison time, but probably won't happen.
Hope you get another bike & keep riding.
Member
Squid
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 82
From: Sun City, CA
I'm truly sorry to hear of your event. I can't call it an accident, because no one accidentally drives drunk. I agree with others who have posted here: I hope they give him a long time in jail...that will give you plenty of time to heal and plan your revenge! Heal up, and I hope you decide to keep riding.
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 562
From: NYC
What a tale! I'm glad you're alive.
It's great that the woman gave a chase and the cops snagged the drunk. I think we'd be surprised by how many morons with suspended licenses are driving about - be alert, y'all.
It's great that the woman gave a chase and the cops snagged the drunk. I think we'd be surprised by how many morons with suspended licenses are driving about - be alert, y'all.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,452
From: San Clemente, CA
Glad you're okay, relatively...alive with no broken bones. Too bad about your bike. Get well and get on that RC.
A good friend and riding buddy of mine was clipped and went down on the 91 freeway in Riverside 26 years ago on his new Interceptor. A guy in a pickup chased the woman down for 2 miles and pulled her over.
The bastard who hit you should never get a driver's license again, or be allowed to buy and register a car. Our drunk driving laws are tougher than they were years ago, but still not tough enough.
A good friend and riding buddy of mine was clipped and went down on the 91 freeway in Riverside 26 years ago on his new Interceptor. A guy in a pickup chased the woman down for 2 miles and pulled her over.
The bastard who hit you should never get a driver's license again, or be allowed to buy and register a car. Our drunk driving laws are tougher than they were years ago, but still not tough enough.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
