Right place at the "right" time...(crash content)

[DocCola]

As a medic in the Army I have seen some bad things happen but never has my heart jumped so much as it did yesterday on my drive home from work. It was about 3:30 and I was coming into Marlborough up 85/Maple Street when I came through the intersection where Red Streak Motors is located. Any of you who don't know this road will want to know it is a two lane road in each direction, this is important.

As I'm approaching I see a lonely biker stopped next to the yellow line wanting to cross my lanes of traffic to pull into the Red Streak parking lot. The poor guy had cars going by him on both sides and I really didn't want to see him get clipped by some asshole getting to close to him, so after checking my mirrors and realizing I had plenty of room to stopped I eased to a stop for him, checked my mirrors again and gave him a high beam flash of all clear.

No sooner did this guy start easing across the road did some asshole whip from my lane behind me, stomp on the gas in his car (heard it over the stereo AND loud exhaust of my Evo) and proceed to step on his brakes to attempt to avoid hitting the poor guy who had almost made it across the road.

He ended up clipping the rear of the guys bike (newer red R1, looked like it was a very nice bike, maybe even raven colored?) and sent the rider into the air, spinning 360 degrees and landing hard, then bouncing a little on the concrete in the entrance of the parking lot. Thank God for my training because I immediately reacted by blocking that lane of traffic with my car, calling 911 and getting to his head to stabilize him and stop him from sitting up.

The guys name was Robert, think he was Asian and he rode a deep/darker red R1. He had some pain in his left leg around the femur area and possible pain in his back. I truly felt for the guy because I thought I was helping him get off the road where he could get clipped by some careless driver and instead some asshole hits him anyway. I was there from the moment he got hit until the paramedics took him away. I talked to him, I asked him questions with the other guy who was helping me and I also tried to calm him down when the asshole who hit him came over to "apologize" and he got understandably upset. I was also in uniform so it would be easy to remember me.

I really want to say that if you know this guy please let me know how he's doing. I barely slept last night because I feel partially responsible. Maybe I should, maybe I shouldn't, but I would really like to know how he's doing. I know he frequents Red Streak, so worst case I'll check in with them in a few weeks to see if they have heard from him. I apologized to him yesterday and he asked me for what, then saying no man, at least you were trying to let me go, but I can't help but feel bad.

Wanted to share my experience with you guys, I know we all know that there are still people riding out there even this late in the season, I just wish everyone else in their cages would realize it as well. Makes me think twice about how much riding I will be doing come spring time considering I have a little baby to stick around for.

[Bandit12k]

was the guy behind you stopped? and then pulled around you?

[Bandit12k]

and to be honest... i really dont' like when cars stop to let me out.... because i ussually can't see behind them if it's clear.

[DocCola]

was the guy behind you stopped? and then pulled around you?

He had slowed down behind the car behind me then decided he was more important and whipped around us both.

[butcher bergs]

So just to be clear, you interrupeted the flow of traffic and it's the guy behind you who's the asshole?

[DocCola]

So just to be clear, you interrupeted the flow of traffic and it's the guy behind you who's the asshole?

I'm not going to argue about that because you would have had to be there to see exactly what happened and how. The guy didn't just casually ease around me, he floored it around me AND the car behind me. There were only 3 cars there so I don't see how I was inturupting the flow of traffic and like I said I didn't slam on my brakes to stop either.

[mycirus]

Was it a double yellow line? Passing zone? Either way you should not feel at fault. You were being nice and the other guy was being aggressive and impatient.

[butcher bergs]

Not arguing, just trying to figure out how you feel it's okay to stop in the middle of a public thruway for reasons of compassion and, because there are other people out there who have places to be, they're the assholes for trying to get around you.

Nice or not, you stopped in the middle of a travel zone. At the very least, put on your hazards when you do this next time.

[obsolete]

This is why I hate when people stop to let me go on a two lane road. Just keep driving, you are creating an unsafe situation.

[DocCola]

I understand where you are coming from Bergs, but it's not like we don't see cars stop all the time in the middle of the road to turn left themselves or to let someone turn infront of them, there are 1000 differnt situations. And like I said before, this guy didn't just ease out and around us, he floored it past us with no directional or anything. How did that asshole know it wasn't some kid chasing a ball across the road or something.

Maybe it's me and I drive on high alert all the time but if I see people stopping infront of me or even brake lights on I go into scanning mode. Not only that I drive a low car, and anything mid sedan sized makes it hard for me to see around them so I am always on the look out for any surprise that may present itself for me on my drive.

I'm not saying your wrong or right, we are just looking at this two differnt ways. Not to mention this 200 yard strech of road is between two active lights so it's not some fucking speed way like this guy was treating it.

[butcher bergs]

I'm not saying your wrong or right, we are just looking at this two differnt ways. Not to mention this 200 yard strech of road is between two active lights so it's not some fucking speed way like this guy was treating it.

Yes, I acknowledge I'm not familiar with the area you speak of however, as merely a reader in this scenario the picture has been painted.

Again, emergency flashers is about my only suggestion. Most drivers have never seen them so when they're faced with a new experience out there on the road they're likely to take notice and treat the situation differently. I feel the use of your flashers would have created another, safer-for-all situation.

Just for the record, I'm not suggesting fault anywhere on you as we all know what kinda assweeds are out there. Best we can do is minimize a given situation as best as we can.

Generally speaking, it's too bad people don't have 15 seconds of patience when they're behind the wheel.

[qqac]

The guy behind might have been too aggressive or careless, but he could have simply switched to the right lane thinking you were stopped trying to make a left turn.

As a driver, I generally don't like it when I am trying to make a turn, and oncoming drivers stop for me, since not all oncoming lanes will also stop. I much prefer to wait for a natural opening in the traffic.

On my bike, if I want to make a left turn but there is heavy traffic, rather than stop and wait on a busy road, I will continue straight until there is a natural opening in the oncoming traffic that allows me to turn left without stopping. I then make the appropriate turns on the side streets, or u-turn in a parking lot and come back out to make a right turn.

[obsolete]

The guy behind might have been too aggressive or careless, but he could have simply switched to the right lane thinking you were stopped trying to make a left turn.

As a driver, I generally don't like it when I am trying to make a turn, and oncoming drivers stop for me, since not all oncoming lanes will also stop. I much prefer to wait for a natural opening in the traffic.

On my bike, if I want to make a left turn but there is heavy traffic, rather than stop and wait on a busy road, I will continue straight until there is a natural opening in the oncoming traffic that allows me to turn left without stopping. I then make the appropriate turns on the side streets, or u-turn in a parking lot and come back out to make a right turn.

I understand it's kindness but it makes things unsafe for everyone.

[Kitt]

Was the car involved with the accident a blue ranger with a grill tied down in the back? I'm sensing some guilt vibes in here...

[DocCola]

Yes, I acknowledge I'm not familiar with the area you speak of however, as merely a reader in this scenario the picture has been painted.

Again, emergency flashers is about my only suggestion. Most drivers have never seen them so when they're faced with a new experience out there on the road they're likely to take notice and treat the situation differently. I feel the use of your flashers would have created another, safer-for-all situation.

Just for the record, I'm not suggesting fault anywhere on you as we all know what kinda assweeds are out there. Best we can do is minimize a given situation as best as we can.

Generally speaking, it's too bad people don't have 15 seconds of patience when they're behind the wheel.

I agree, even a few seconds of patience could save a lot of people a lot of trouble.

The guy behind might have been too aggressive or careless, but he could have simply switched to the right lane thinking you were stopped trying to make a left turn.

As a driver, I generally don't like it when I am trying to make a turn, and oncoming drivers stop for me, since not all oncoming lanes will also stop. I much prefer to wait for a natural opening in the traffic.

On my bike, if I want to make a left turn but there is heavy traffic, rather than stop and wait on a busy road, I will continue straight until there is a natural opening in the oncoming traffic that allows me to turn left without stopping. I then make the appropriate turns on the side streets, or u-turn in a parking lot and come back out to make a right turn.

No where to turn left where I was stopped.

I understand it's kindness but it makes things unsafe for everyone.

I've come to learn this now. Just another reason to add to the list of why I want to move out of this region.

Was the car involved with the accident a blue ranger with a grill tied down in the back? I'm sensing some guilt vibes in here...

No...not sure what you mean though. Car involved was a old red toyota carmy i think.

[obsolete]

I've come to learn this now. Just another reason to add to the list of why I want to move out of this region.

I've been in a lot of areas and there are stupid/shitty drivers all over. I've never noticed it being that much worse than other places.

[butcher bergs]

I much prefer to wait for a natural opening...

We all love 'em, the natural ones I mean.

It poses the question, is this what Dolla Bill's been waiting so long for?

Was the car involved with the accident a blue ranger with a grill tied down in the back? I'm sensing some guilt vibes in here...

Get your story straight, focker...
































....it wasn't tied down at all.

[Kitt]

....it wasn't tied down at all.

I think it was staged... Was it coincidence you put insurance on the grill just 2 days before the accident? Whatever, burgers and hotdogs don't need no stinking grill... (I think you just wanted me to say "raw-dog")

[DuncanMoto]

I have learned to not give up my right of way on a 2+ lane road.
It just makes it dangerous for everyone else.
Hopefully the rider won't try to sue you. He might have a case against you for telling him to go. I'm not saying it's your fault at all, but lawyers go after everyone.

[R1]

in most cases passing on the right is illegal....

my.02

regardless of the situation

[DocCola]

in most cases passing on the right is illegal....

my.02

regardless of the situation

One of the officers on scene yesterday told me this as well. I know the guy who hit the rider got quite the ticket.

[rg500]

Not arguing, just trying to figure out how you feel it's okay to stop in the middle of a public thruway for reasons of compassion and, because there are other people out there who have places to be, they're the assholes for trying to get around you.

Nice or not, you stopped in the middle of a travel zone. At the very least, put on your hazards when you do this next time.

I thought that is what brake lights are for.

It seems to me that it is the responsibility of the person passing to make sure that the way is clear before going.

[DocCola]

I thought that is what brake lights are for.

It seems to me that it is the responsibility of the person passing to make sure that the way is clear before going.

[mojobreakfast]

in most cases passing on the right is illegal....

If I am understanding this right, there were two lanes in each direction. So the driver of the Camry moved from the left lane, which was now blocked by a stopped car, and into the right lane. Probably not illegal and honestly, I could see myself doing this if I hadn't noticed a bike turning left. Any chance the 2nd vehicle in line was an SUV, van or truck? That could easily exacerbate things by blocking the bike from view further back.

I don't know how many times a day I see a driver doing something confounding, like for instance just coming to a complete stop on a ramp waiting for a gap the size of the Titanic that will probably never come. It can be very tempting to just slide right around these people...

[DocCola]

If I am understanding this right, there were two lanes in each direction. So the driver of the Camry moved from the left lane, which was now blocked by a stopped car, and into the right lane. Probably not illegal and honestly, I could see myself doing this if I hadn't noticed a bike turning left. Any chance the 2nd vehicle in line was an SUV, van or truck? That could easily exacerbate things by blocking the bike from view further back.

I don't know how many times a day I see a driver doing something confounding, like for instance just coming to a complete stop on a ramp waiting for a gap the size of the Titanic that will probably never come. It can be very tempting to just slide right around these people...

The vehicle behind me was a small volkswagen, think it was a cabriolet, and an older one at that, so it wouldn't be hard to see around considering I SAW the damn camry whip around the car behind me in my right side mirror. I don't drive a big car either. It's a Mitsubishi Evolution, same same as the older lancers, just a little widers, and my car sits very low.

What it comes down to is the driver was being wreckless and thinking of no one but himself and how he was to important to take the time to wait in line or at least procede through the stopped traffic with some sort of caution.