Story: http://www.wlfi.com/Global/story.asp...&nav=menu591_3
No criminal charges in fatal motorcycle accident

Updated: Oct 2, 2008 02:59 PM CDT

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - A truck driver has been issued a traffic citation, but will not face criminal charges, in connection with a motorcycle accident that left a 19 year old Purdue student dead.

47 year old John Stillabower, of Indianapolis, was driving the semi that drove over Bradley Trifone's motorcycle at the intersection of U.S. 52 and Teal Road on September 23. It was Trifone's 19th birthday.

Trifone was stopped at a red light in the northbound lanes of U.S. 52. Stillabower's semi was behind him at the light. When the light turned green, Stillabower accelerated, running over the top of Trifone. Stillabower told police at the time that he did not see Trifone.

Lafayette Police Sergeant Max Smith said one witness told police Stillabower's semi was stopped about a foot behind Trifone's motorcycle. Smith said one witness reported that Trifone's motorcycle stalled when the light turned green.

Sgt. Smith said Stillabower tested negative for drugs and alcohol, and will not face any criminal charges in connection with the accident. Stillabower was issued a ticket for "unsafe starting," which carries a $130 fine.




Protest story: http://www.wlfi.com/Global/story.asp...&nav=menu591_3

Lafayette motorcyclists protest to raise awareness

Updated: Oct 3, 2008 10:44 PM CDT

Lafayette, Ind. (WLFI) - Motorcyclists react to finding out the semi driver who ran over and killed a Purdue student on bike will not be charged with a crime. Motorcyclists protested at the place where 19-year-old Bradley Trifone died last week. They blocked off all lanes of traffic on Sagamore Parkway at Teal road and held up signs read "See us?"

"We want people to know we're out here. Motorcycles are everywhere. You're cars are very dangerous to us," said motorcycle rider Anthony Wettschurack.

Traffic stood still for only a few minutes as motorcyclists called attention to their presence on the road. Afterwards, the bikers held up signs on the shoulder near the Tippecanoe Mall. Some were there to make drivers more conscious of motorcycles on the road. Others silently disapproved of the semi driver not being charged for killing a biker.

"We were appalled they only gave the driver a $130 ticket," said motorcycle rider Wesley Coffey while he held a sign that read "Can you see us?" We need to see stiffer laws against people injuring bike riders."

Tippecanoe County Prosecutor Pat Harrington said there were no charges filed in the accident because no laws were broken. The semi driver from Indianapolis was tested for drugs and alcohol and the tests were negative. So, he was not driving impaired. There was also no charge of reckless homicide because the driver did not knowing act in a way that could hurt someone. Harrington said often there are no charges filed in fatal accidents.

Lafayette Police officers asked the protestors to move on because they were on private property that belongs to the mall.

"I understand why you're doing it. I know you're doing it for a good reason, but that's the way it is," one officer said to the group.

The demonstration ended and the bikers merged back into traffic with other drivers. Many semi drivers who went by during the protest honked in support.

 

So if I just drive through a neighborhood and run over somebody's kid on a bicycle I would be charged with um let me guess "following to closely"?

That is F***ing rediculous. I can't wait to approach a green light in a fire truck and plow through the first car that stops in front of me, well I didn't see them stop at the green light. Hopefully there will be a civil suit and that guy won't be able to afford to put gas in a moped when it's done. On the other hand hopefully he will be reduced to riding a moped, then his chances are better.

 

So it's legal to run over and kill someone obeying the law because you can't see them? Isn't that the truck drivers responsibility to see what's in front of him? Obviously he didn't do it on purpose, but not paying attention doesn't excuse his crime.

How did the truck driver come to a stop to begin with, without seeing the bike in front of him? Did the biker split lanes and sneak in front of the truck? Smells fishy to me.

 

Good comment on the website...

What if it had been a motorcycle cop?

 

We need an advertising campaign like down in Oz to get the cagers to SEE motorcyclists. This just pisses me off!!!!!

Check out: www.pleaselooktwice.com

Maybe if we all rode naked for one day they would see us. Another possible answer is machine gun mounts.

 

If you noticed that the couple was riding a Honda in the first video, you are

 

A similar tragedy occurred several years ago in Anaheim with a big rig coming off the 57 freeway and making a right turn at the end of the offramp. A woman riding a bicycle on the wrong side of the street was hit by him as he turned left.

He said he never saw her, but this one is more understandable since you usually don't look to the right before you BEGIN the turn. And by then the bicyclist was out of the driver's view, from his high perch, on his right side.

But to not see a motorcyclist that you stopped BEHIND shows a total lack of attention or a lack of being a human being.

 

What Honda?

 

I had to pause it to see the honda. I watched it three times without seeing the honda badge, paused it had and had a good long look, then looked at the bike. NIIIIIICE

 

, I don't wanna know where the guy keeps that toll booth pass...