No-Cal Rider Killed last night

[James Burleigh]

Very familiar with this location. The riders would have been heading toward Shoreline Hwy (1) from Panoramic. I wonder if it occurred at the indicated U-turn.

This is the kind of story none of us can rationalize our way out of. It could happen to any of us on any day.

Jb

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

Most don't know how Kalifornia operates. This scum bag could maybe walk with a plea bargain in Kalifornia courts. It has happened before and will happen again. Hopefully not this time or anytime in the future. The law should lay the hammer down if you leave the scene and just assume you are DUI. Maybe this might stop some of the hit and runs that are plaguing our streets these days.

 

[James Burleigh]

This is the kind of thing AMA is going after with their Justice for All campaign. I wonder if this one is on their radar.

 

[Tyler]

This is the kind of thing AMA is going after with their Justice for All campaign. I wonder if this one is on their radar.

I sent a webmail to them today in the hopes that they would get involved. Also, I've been following this story on NBSR. Due to recent developments of the driver of the vehicle being let go on his own recognizance and a lesser charge (vehicular manslaughter v. felony hit and run) brought, there is an effort to write the media at the apalling attention (or lack thereof) that this is receiving. If you would like to participate in writing to the media, a list of addresses and email addys is listed here:

https://www.northbaysportriders.com/forums/...mp;#entry137482

 

[Auburn]

This is the kind of thing AMA is going after with their Justice for All campaign. I wonder if this one is on their radar.

I sent a webmail to them today in the hopes that they would get involved. Also, I've been following this story on NBSR. Due to recent developments of the driver of the vehicle being let go on his own recognizance and a lesser charge (vehicular manslaughter v. felony hit and run) brought, there is an effort to write the media at the apalling attention (or lack thereof) that this is receiving. If you would like to participate in writing to the media, a list of addresses and email addys is listed here:

https://www.northbaysportriders.com/forums/...mp;#entry137482

The crazy part is if there was animal cruelty involved he would get more time than killing a human being. I hope the AMA puts this on the radar too.

 

[painman]

The guy is only being charged with vehicular manslaughter, what a joke. NO HIT AND RUN.....charges and the bail is only $50,000. He's probably already out and if convicted he's probably only looking at 5 years if convicted. We should do as the other members on the Northbay Sport Riders site and start contacting news people and our government to complain. PM. <>< :angry: :angry:

 

[DucatiSSsp]

Should put that ******* in a 10' high glass box with a couple of port-o-potties on top, set it next to the road where he killed his victim with a sign explaining the circumstances! <_<

I would gladly make a run down the coast to pay my respects! :angry:

 

[Silver Penguin]

Let's not forget that the perpetrator has now ruined his family's lives, also. There's enough tragedy in this instance to make us all step back and take a hard look at our lives.

Wow - I must be getting smart or something, because I thought along the same lines as MM2 (who always seems to come up with the voice of reason). This is a tragedy all around. One life was taken and two others shattered. I can't imagine that the truck driver would ever be able to forget what he did. It's my feeling that after he caused the collision, he flat out panicked, and ran away as a small child might do after breaking a window. If he planned on evading arrest, he wasn't very smart, since he went home to the address where his truck was registered. How will this guy ever hold his head up in public again? (when he gets out of jail). The thought that his carelessness, for whatever reason, caused a man to die will follow him forever.

My prayers go out to the rider in critical condition, and the families of both riders.

Jill

 

[AethonFJR]

I am not sure what significance the difference between “hit and run” vs “leaving the scene” has under CA law, but I would have though hit and run to be a more substantial charge (just a guess on my part). BB2, you are right on target that the lives three families will be significantly changed by this event.

Jb’s comment “It could happen to any of us on any day.”….. a thought worth contemplating…..

 

[painman]

I know that section of roadway and going down to the ocean or back up the hill the road is "very" tight swithbacks and narrow. It is probably one of the worse sections and most heavily used portions of hwy. 1 in NorCal as Stension Beach is a very popular area. There are other bad spots north of Bodega Bay on the cliffs that are also dangerous.

Of note in our area illegal Mexicans have been involved in several headon collisions, not always involving bikes, and the drivers had no license or insurance and some had previous multiple accidents and convictions and were still out driving around. One father of four and close friend of my son-in-law in my town of Antioch was killed in his disel 4X4 pickup in a headon by the very same described above and one pound of meth was found in his vehicle and he had crossed the middle double line. I'm not singleing out that race but that is what has been happening here. PM. <>< :angry:

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

The driver should have acted as a responsible citizen and accepted the fault. He should also stayed on the scene and tried to help the down riders. He is a poor excuse for a human being and should spend a long time in prison repenting for what he did. Also the prosecutors should be on trial for reducing the charges. He was involved in a felony hit and run. No reduced charges should be allowed. I feel no sorrow for him only shame.

 

[Toecutter]

Police said a Chevy pickup truck, heading downhill toward the coast, crossed over the double yellow line and struck the oncoming motorcyclists.

This might be a good time to visit the "Stay right, stay alive" link in my sig. I continue to see way too many people hanging out in the left half of the lane with blind conditions ahead.

Regardless of whose fault it was and what the punishment might be, none of that's gonna make the rider any less dead.

Ride to stay alive!!!

 

[Tyler]

Danny, a friend from SBR/NBSR went to the hearing today:

I'm a little lost for words so I'll state the facts as I remember them.Bail has been increased to $1,000,000.00

Prelim hearing is set for May 22

Eric is out of ICU but still in a world of hurt.

It was hard sitting with the families and hearing about Steve from his Mom and Sis.

Strong women.

More later.

 

[madmike2]

Danny, a friend from SBR/NBSR went to the hearing today:

Bail has been increased to $1,000,000.00Prelim hearing is set for May 22

Eric is out of ICU but still in a world of hurt.

Thanks for the update, Tyler. It sounds like the DA is serious if they raised the bail limit. I'd expect some serious charges at the preliminary hearing. Thanks are due the DA's office for prosecuting this.

 

[Silver Penguin]

Danny, a friend from SBR/NBSR went to the hearing today:

Thank you for the update. I hope the high limit on the bail will send a message to whomever is out there that this is serious business. Killing and maiming motorcyclists is not to be taken lightly.

Please pass along my good wishes to Eric for a full and speedy recovery from his injuries.

Jill

 

[painman]

Possibly the bail increase was due to alot of good bike riders complaining to whoever will listen to make their voices heard. There is strength in numbers and the judges are listening. Good work to those who did and keep it up. PM. <>< :yahoo:

 

[Fairlaner]

Possibly the bail increase was due to alot of good bike riders complaining to whoever will listen to make their voices heard. There is strength in numbers and the judges are listening. Good work to those who did and keep it up. PM. <>< :yahoo:

yes very good work folks keep it up.

R

 

[gr8eyes]

Very sad indeed.

 

[ionbeam]

From Manchester, NH news this morning (3/28/08):

[SIZE=12pt]Man Sentenced In Crash That Killed 3 Motorcyclists[/SIZE]

HAVERHILL, N.H. -- A Thornton, N.H., man has been sentenced to up to 12 years in prison for a crash that killed three motorcyclists from Indiana during Motorcycle Week in 2006.

Grafton County Attorney Rick St. Hilaire said Joshua Shepard was sentenced to three to 12 years and ordered to pay about $126,000 in restitution. His driver's license was revoked for 21 years.

Shepard was convicted in November on three counts of negligent homicide. Witnesses testified that he crossed the centerline on Route 49, slamming into one motorcycle and causing a second to crash into the wreckage.

Killed were Gary and Joyce Varden and Claudia Huffman, all of Evansville, Ind. Rick Huffman, also of Evansville, was seriously injured.

=============

 

[wfooshee]

From Manchester, NH news this morning (3/28/08):
[SIZE=12pt]Man Sentenced In Crash That Killed 3 Motorcyclists[/SIZE]

HAVERHILL, N.H. -- A Thornton, N.H., man has been sentenced to up to 12 years in prison for a crash that killed three motorcyclists from Indiana during Motorcycle Week in 2006.

Grafton County Attorney Rick St. Hilaire said Joshua Shepard was sentenced to three to 12 years and ordered to pay about $126,000 in restitution. His driver's license was revoked for 21 years.

Shepard was convicted in November on three counts of negligent homicide. Witnesses testified that he crossed the centerline on Route 49, slamming into one motorcycle and causing a second to crash into the wreckage.

Killed were Gary and Joyce Varden and Claudia Huffman, all of Evansville, Ind. Rick Huffman, also of Evansville, was seriously injured.

=============

Wow. No mention of alcohol or leaving the scene. . . . Just drifted out of his lane (from what I can tell from this.)

Gotta pay attention, right?