Just a brief note: I contacted my Phoenix Fire Department friends and Fire Captain Ernie Lizarraga is still in critical condition. There was an M/C Awareness Ride yesterday here in The East Valley.
Motorcyclists gather in Mesa
to raise awareness
by Jim Walsh - May. 23, 2010 01:54 PM
The Arizona Republic
Their hearts swelled with sorrow, about 350
motorcyclists clad in yellow and orange
thundered away from Mesa Riverview mall
Sunday morning on a mission to promote
safety in the wake of a tragedy.
The "Can You See Me Now" ride did more
than honor the four motorcyclists killed on
March 25 when they were run over while
waiting at a stop light in north Phoenix by
dump truck driven by a man accused of
driving under the influence of
methamphetamine.
The ride's goal was to eliminate future
tragedies by urging car and truck drivers to
avoid distractions, such as talking on cell
phones or texting, and to look out for
motorcyclists.
The event quickly struck a nerve by focusing
on a chronic visibility problem that
motorcyclists say has only worsened as cell
phones and texting became commonplace.
Within a month, it turned into a national and
international event, with motorcycle groups
in 45 U.S. cities and several foreign
countries as far away as Australia
participating.
"Long overdue, this day, this event," said
Tamie DeLoach, a motorcycle rider from
Glendale. "People are so caught up in their
little world. They get tunnel vision. It's so
selfish."
Paul Totonchi, founder of the Phoenix M.C.
Kruzers motorcycle group, lost his wife,
Dayle Veronica Downs-Totonchi, 47, in the
gruesome wreck at 27th Avenue and
Carefree Highway. Also killed were Clyde R.
Nachand, 67; Stephen Punch, 52; and Daniel
L. Butler, 35.
"We just want people to notice we are out on
the road," Totonchi said. "The main message
is don't get distracted, just drive."
John Fox, founder of the Phoenix Motorcycle
Riders, said 38 percent of motorcycle
fatalities are caused by drivers of cars and
trucks making left turns and hitting
motorcycles.
Detective James Holmes, a Phoenix police
spokesman, applauded the ride, saying its
part of the healing process for motorcyclists
who want to do something constructive after
such a horrific event.
"This is a truck rolling over bikes like
bowling pins," he said. "They never knew it
was coming."
Holmes said most drivers they tend not to
see motorcycles or bicycles because they
are in the habit of watching out for other
cars.
While drivers should make an extra effort to
look out for motorcyclists, the motorcyclists
also should exercise extra caution looking
out for cars, he said.
Michael Jakscht, 46, of Scottsdale, the dump
truck driver in the gruesome collision,
remains at Maricopa County's Fourth
Avenue Jail where he awaits trial on four
counts of manslaughter, five counts of
aggravated assault and seven counts of
endangerment.
A motion for Jakscht's release was withdrawn
by his attorney Thursday and he is
scheduled to appear at a pretrial conference
June 3 before Superior Court Commissioner
James Rummage.
On Sunday, the motorcycle riders made a
120-mile loop around Valley freeways that
ended at Greasewood Flat, a restaurant in
north Scottsdale.
Jim Morin of Mesa, who organized the event,
said the turnout was better than expected.
He said a handful of drivers along the route
made a "thumbs up" or "hang loose" gesture
to show their support.
