Focusing On Riding, Focusing On Living
No doubt since the Scooter Boom of 2008, scooterists all over the World are still getting hurt, and sometimes killed in scooter-related accidents. Here, we have tried to present and analyze each case as a learning experience, so that we who ride scooters on a daily basis could be mindful that not only do we not “own the road”, we must do our best at all times to protect ourselves first, and steer clear of all potential dangers out there, most recently the alarming presence of distracted motorists who text-and-drive on our public roads.
In the future, if specific cases do come to our attention, and there are life-saving lessons to be learned, you could be sure that we will bring them to you. In the meantime, keep up the diligence and clear minds, pay attention to safety details before and during rides. Let’s try to keep the rubber-side down, have a calm, pleasant ride and arrive safely home. Thank you!_Lorenzo
Henry J. Wright
(December 17, 2008–Tucson, Arizona) “Henry J. Wright, 66, died in a scooter crash Dec. 17, a Tucson police spokeswoman said. Wright, of Tucson, had been riding a 2003 Aprila Atlantic Scooter west on Broadway around 12:30 p.m. when he lost control, Officer Linda Galindo said.”
Related news article: tucsoncitizen.com/
John Kenneth Dersch
(August 31, 2008-Berlin, Maryland) “John K. Dersch, 40, of Ocean City, had been driving a motor scooter on eastbound Route 50 near Holly Grove Rd. with a passenger later identified as Dennis Ray King…The investigation further revealed the motor scooter struck a concrete curb at Holly Grove Rd., ejecting Dersch and King from the vehicle and landing them in the eastbound lanes of Route 50. A vehicle driven by Isreal Green, 58, of Berlin, was heading east on Route 50 at about the same time the scooter hit the curb, striking Dersch when he came to rest in the slow lane of the highway.”
Related news article: mdcoastdispatch.com/ , Obit.
Michael Jason Brown
(May 12, 2006–Salisbury, North Carolina) Michael Jason Brown, 27, of China Grove, was riding his scooter toward Salisbury on US-52 when he was struck by a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee, driven by Eric Taylor. A Rowan County grand jury indicted Taylor on charges of involuntary manslaughter and felonious hit and run/failure to remain at the scene of the May 12 (2006) accident where Brown died. “Taylor did not stop and render aid, nor did he or his passengers call anyone for help,” the press release from the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office said.
Related news article: slspublish.bits.baseview.com/ , Sorrowful 3 get probation in scooter driver’s death
Robert Jeff Baughman
photo: TBO
(September 26, 2007–Tampa, Florida) “Sixteen-year-old John Holland Jr. was driving north on Countryway in a 2005 Nissan 350-Z when he lost control, veered and struck a man headed south on a scooter, sheriff’s spokeswoman Debbie Carter said…authorities identified the motorbike driver as Robert Jeff Baughman, 49…”
Related news articles: www2.tbo.com/ , more on Tampa Bay Online
Andrea Pininfarina
photo: livemint.com
(August 7, 2008–Turin, Italy) “Andrea Pininfarina, CEO of Italian design and contract manufacturer Pininfarina, died Thursday morning in a road accident near Turin. Pininfarina, 51, died after a car collided with the Vespa scooter he was riding to the company’s design and r&d center in Cambiano…The driver of the car, 78-year-old Giuliano Salmi, was taken to hospital suffering from shock. ‘I didn’t see him, I was going slowly and I really didn’t see him,’ Salmi said, according to local news agency Ansa.”
Related news articles: italymag.co.uk/ , autonews.com/ , nytimes.com , livemint.com/ , saturnonet.it/
Gerald J. Anzalone
(April 24, 2006–Kenner, Louisiana) “Gerald J. Anzalone, 62, of Kenner (Louisiana), was traveling east on W. Esplanade
Ave. in Kenner on a motor scooter when he was struck by a Ford Explorer…”
Related news article: blog.nola.com/
Dennis Weatherstone
(November 6, 2008–Aurelius, NY) “State police said (Dennis) Weatherstone, 52, was operating a Honda 150 (cc) scooter travelling west on Routes 5 and 20 and had just passed Fosterville Road at 5:30 a.m. when his scooter collided with a Ford van, operated by Andrew Fayette, 19, pulling onto the road from his driveway. Heavy fog blanketed the area, and Fayette, who leaving for work, said visibility was less than 300 feet at the time.”
Related news article: syracuse.com/
Anthony Sidoti
(June 10, 2008–Bristol, CT) Nancy Curtis, 50, failed to grant the right-of-way as she exited her driveway and drove directly into the path of the motor scooter driven by Anthony Sidoti, 25. She was charged with negligent homicide with a motor vehicle and failure to grant right-of-way.
Related news article: bristolpress.com/
Daniel Everett Sharp
(August 19, 2008–Winston-Salem, NC) –“About 10:30 pm, Daniel Everett Sharp, 38, was operating a 2007 Moto Fina(sp?) scooter when Brian Lamont Bailey, in a Chevrolet Tahoe, failed to yield the right-of-way, colliding into Sharp’s scooter, Winston-Salem police said.”
Related news article: news-record.com/
Jeffery V. Gilliland
(October 25, 2008–Phoenix, AZ) “Authorities said 51-year-old Jeffery V. Gilliland died after suffering major injuries in the collision…”
Related news article: abc15.com ; azcentral.com
Tracy Gill
(August 28, 2008–Aurora, Colorado) Tracy Gill, age 51 of Denver, CO, expired as he was involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident on the night of August 28th involving a drunk driver. “Former Denver Broncos safety Billy Jenkins will be formally charged Dec. 11 in the death of a motor-scooter driver in Aurora, after forgoing a preliminary hearing…”
Related news article: denverpost.com ; rockymountainnews.com ; groups.google.com/
Ryan Hides
(September, 2008–England) “A local 17-year-old scooterist was tragically killed in an accident with a car recently and his parents requested that because of their son’s passion for scooters, they would like to see scooterists at the funeral to give Ryan Hides a suitable send-off on his last journey…”
Related news article: twistngo.com ; ridesafebacksafe.co.uk
Ryan’s condolence page: lincsscooteralliance.piczo.com/
Gregory Bowen
Gregory Bowen’s life ended while riding his Vespa scooter on May 2nd, 2008. According to news report, “Gregory Bowen was riding a Vespa scooter eastbound on Broadway around 7 p.m. Friday when the SUV made a left turn toward State Street and collided with him, Sgt. Richard Nemetz of the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office said.”
Arthur Lindy Martin
Arthur Lindy Martin, 50, died November 4, 2008 (Election Day), in Orange, TX. Funeral services will be Friday, November 7, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at the Claybar Funeral Home’s temporary location at 1408 W Park in Orange with Pastor David Berkheimer of the Community Church of Orange officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens near Bridge City. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Thursday, November 6, 2008 from 5 until 8 p.m. Lindy was born on November 9, 1957, in Orange, to Arthur L. Martin and Georgia Hester Martin. He was a life long resident of Orange and worked as a mechanic for Coastal Marine. He loved working in his yard and enjoyed building things. He is preceded in death by his father, Arthur L Martin and survived by his wife, Tammy Martin and his daughter, Shelby Martin and his step children Ashley and Sterling Turner. He is also survived by his mother, Georgia Martin and three sisters, Patricia Hastings and her husband, Dave; Judy Hoelter and her husband, Dean; Ann Dominguez and her husband, Danny; one brother, Allen Martin and his wife Haley and many nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Casey Granger, David Hastings, Jr., Chris Hoelter, Damon Dominguez, Allen Martin and Bobby Hudson. Honorary pallbearer will be Marlin Ellis. (Source: kogt.com)
Related news article: orangeleader.com
Robert “Fox” Inman
Self-portrait, Robert "Fox" Inman (from HSB)
(Conroe, Texas) The life of a fellow Texas scooterist, Robert “Fox” Inman, came to a tragic end on Sunday, Nov. 2nd, 2008. He was known by many of us and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and comrades. To read the statement by Irish Bastard of the Royal Bastards Scooter Club Armadillo Chapter, please go here. There is also a tribute page for Fox by the RBSC-AC; as well as another by the Houston Scooter Battalion; and another. Fox was a very talented photographer and has been the official photog for the Houston Scooter Battalion. Here is his rally album from Third Coast Rally 4 in San Antonio this October. May you rest in heavenly peace, Fox.–SM
Related news article: myfoxhouston.com
Scooterist Memorial 