Sorry about this post but I need to do this to just help me deal with it. Yesterday(Saturday the 19th) I had my 1973 Triumph Bonneville in a bike show at our local Hooters, I couldn't get of work so 2 buddies agreed to babysit my bike at the show, Pete Caro and Patrick Smith, Pete has a 1970 Kawasaki H1 and Pat has a 2002 Yamaha R6, Pete entered his bike in the show Pat didn't so Pat would go back and forth from the shop I work at giving me updates the back to the show(I work less that 1/2 mile from the Hooters) and he would also just get in some riding as it was a great day. Well, when I got off work Pete's wife picked me up and I oaded all of my crap as well as a bunch of Pas't stuff into her car and she took me over to the show, Pat wasn't there yet and should have been, Pete had talked to him on his cell phone at about 4:00pm and pat said "I'll be there in 5 min" it was now 5:15pm. There had been a motorcycle accident a couple of blocks down the road and of course it turned out to be Pat, seems that he was coming through an intersection turning left when a Ford Explorer turned left right in front of him, Pat didn't stand a chance, he was on the brakes but only left about 10 feet of skidmarks before hitting the truck right in the side, he was dead on the scene. The driver of the truck told the cops that they saw him come through the turn leaned way over and commented "wow he's really moving" AND THEN TURNED IN FRONT OF HIM!!!They friggin saw him and still turned in front of him!! I'm sure pat was probably speeding but the accident was 108 feet from the intersection so he couldn't have been going too much over the 45 mph speed limit. I do not believe that the driver was or will be charged with anything due to the fact that Pat was speeding, and granted at that intersection it wasn't the brightest thing for him to do but I'm still pissed that I'll never get to see my friend again, never get to go riding with him again, pissed that he won't get to see his daughter grow up. Pat was a super nice guy and a great guy to have as a buddy and I'm going to miss him. Pete and I rode to the accident scene this evening, the explorer was pulling into a Wendys when the accident happened, after looking around for a while and after seeing the helmet strap that they cut off of Pat's helmet Pete said in a disgusted voice"I wonder if she ever got her burger" and I could only reply "I hope she chokes on her next one" Forgive me for being a bit pissed but it's one thing to not see someone and the cut them off, but she told the cops that she saw him and then turned, thats why I'm so mad, but mostly I just miss my friend. :ball:
That is terrible Kurt, I'm very sorry. I'm sorry for this guy's family. I'm sorry that the little daughter now has no Daddy. In my line of work I see a lot of this, but it never gets any easier. When I see someone that has been killed in a situation like this, I always think of the kids. They don't understand this kind of thing, they just know Dad isn't around any more. We are all adults and know the consequences of our actions, but the kids really don't. I'm sure the Explorer did not do this on purpose. In an accident, bikes always lose. That's why I have quit riding them. Sorry for the loss of your friend.
Kurt, I'm sorry to hear about your friend. I too have had friends killed on bikes and the suddeness of it all is what affected me the most. No chance for a last goodbye. My simpathies to you and the family of your bro.
Kurt, Myself and a hand full of my buddies ride bikes. Reading your story hit me hard....... I really don't know what to say. I've very sorry about your loss / his families loss. I hope you get through this hard time OK. My prayers go out to you all.
Kurt, I've had a few leftie close calls on my bike, each time its been someone thinking they can just sqeeze past before the bike goes through. Your story hits home man, my best to you and the family...
Kurt, I'm so sorry to hear this terrible news Kurt. I too rode a bike up until I got married, and then decided I'd had too many close calls to continue doing so, and sold it off. I have a 4yr old girl, and it just makes me ache to imagine the pain she and my wife would feel if I was suddenly gone... my sympathies to Pat's family and to you. David Gramlow
Thanks guys, it means alot, it really does. I know that if nothing else me and my other friends are being alot more careful out there and alot more observant. I've always taken it slow since I ride mostly vintage bikes so I kind of have to. Mark, I'm sure the explorer driver thought she could make it by him in time but didn't, I don't think she did it on purpose and I'm quitesure tha she is very affected by this experiance as well
Kurt, I'm real sorry for the news. I had two friends, one close, that were killed on bikes, back around 1978. It's not a great feeling to have that loss. Sold mine (750 Yamaha) once I became a father, back around 1993, sort of lost my nerve and then figured it was time, though I will always miss it. I still have another friend that rides and rather aggressively, he recently dumped it (Ducati) avoiding an empty headed driver in a car. He finally admitted that this was it. He also has a little girl (9). He ended up selling what was left and though he still customizes bikes (his business)he says he is sticking to 4 wheels because there are too many:moonu: holes on the street that do not respect others. Again Kurt, sorry for the loss of your friend. Take Care Rick
Kurt. I'm very sorry for your loss (words just aren't strong enough are they?). It's hard enough to find and keep good friends when you lose one it just plain makes you angry too. I lost a friend of mine in a road accident when we where all 20. He was a drummer and was returning from a gig when a woman driver turned in front of him too. She was drunk but he husband was even more drunk so she decided to drive. She ended the life of not only my friend but of her husband also and hurt both her kids in the rear seat as well as my friends girlfriend who was driving the car. Please tell me it's not your friend who accompanied you to Bristol who I met. Bill S.
Deepest Sympathy Kurt I am sorry for your loss, and the for his family. I will keep you all in my prays. I think often of my friend I lost 22 years ago when his new Harley hit the tree. There are many times when I am doing things we enjoyed that I just know he is near. I pray for understanding Joe B
Bill, That was Pete that you met, He is fine Pete was the last person to talk to Pat right before the accident on his cellphone, Pat told him he'd be there in 5 min. Pete checked his phone, that was 4:00 PM, the acident happened at 4:06 PM. Thanks to all you guys for the support, I pretty much just wanted everyone to know that Pat was a great guy!
