Ugly little story..

[toocrazy2yoo]

They had this one across the street, I'm pretty sure no one here has pulled a stunt like this one. Makes ya wonder what doods are thinking:


Motorcyclist dies in apparent Ventura County road rage incident
12:12 PM | August 11, 2009

A Ventura County motorcyclist died after being dragged 75 feet in a collision with an RV on Highway 101 in what California Highway Patrol officials described Tuesday as a road rage incident.

The motorcyclist, who was not immediately identified, was traveling south on U.S. 101 shortly after noon Monday, when he got into an altercation with the RV driver, said CHP Officer Terry Uhrich.



A witness told investigators that the motorcyclist made obscene gestures before suddenly pulling in front of the larger vehicle and slamming on the brakes, Uhrich said. The rear wheel of motorcycle got caught under the front right bumper of the RV, which lost control and slammed into the center divider, he said.

The biker, 57 was ejected from the motorcycle and pronounced dead at the scene. Uhrich noted that the biker was wearing a so-called skull cap which partially covered his head but is not certified and did not provide protection in the event of collision.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lano...incident-.html

The comments at the end of the article were a little, may I say, harsh?

[stoinkythepig]

The comments I read (did not read all of them) are indeed harsh, but the motorcyclist deserves harsh criticism. That was a really dumb move.

I had a similar situation a few years ago when a motorcyclist tried the same thing several times while I was towing my boat. I swerved hard and sucessfully avoided him each time (if I had just stood on the brakes, I would have hit him), but I expected him to die at some point since he was really pushing his luck with 5 tons of SUV, trailer and boat. He finally gave up on the idea of me stopping simply becuase he was mad.

My "crime" in his eyes was that I attempted to overtake him and another motorcyclist who were riding side by side having a conversation at 25 MPH in a 55 MPH zone. I was already going 55 when I came upon them in a long, flat, straight, and desolate passing zone, and it was easier to just move to the left and pass than it would have been to slow to 25.

[qkathanagsxxa]

I understand the whole "road rage" thing, but seriously who gets so angry that they decide to cut infront of the other that has angred tham and slam on the breaks? Especially on a motocycle. This may sound harsh and i might not know the whole scoop on the situation, but that guy got what he deserved. Imo RV>Motorcycle. <<<< Anyone else feel that the guy may have been totally fucked in the head before pulling this stunt?

[OreoGaborio]

Seriously... some people just don't realize how fukin vulnerable they are.

[virtualbong]

I was waiting to hear something about the RV side swiping the motorcycle...I had no clue that it was the motorcyclists who was trying to get in the RV's way...doesn't seem logical whatsoever.

[greenmonster]

...slamming on his brakes in front of an RV with all the fixin's, carrying all that inertia, there's no way the RV can scrub off that speed in time. Looks like the gene pool just got a little less murky. Anyway, RIP to the idiot for putting himself in a no-win situation. I only feel sorry for his family.

[Pittenger5]

So what youre trying to say is cutting off, and then brake checking, a vehicle that outweighs me 10 to 1 is a bad idea?

[kb1]

How dumb can you be?

[greenmonster]

So what youre trying to say is cutting off, and then brake checking, a vehicle that outweighs me 10 to 1 is a bad idea?

Let's just say there are better ways to spend an afternoon than riding on the front grill of an RV...

[toocrazy2yoo]

One look at that bike pretty much tells me all I need to know..

[kbroderick]

Sounds like a really dumb move, but let's keep in mind that it was the RV driver who was around after the incident to tell how it happened.

[kb1]

Sounds like a really dumb move, but let's keep in mind that it was the RV driver who was around after the incident to tell how it happened.

Witness's told the story as well, either way, you don't tangle with an RV, end of story.

[KawiSmurf]

I think of all the comments made on that article, the one that's getting to me more than any other is this one:

I will not brake for these losers. My car will provide me with enough protection. Just like another bug on the windshield.

I know its on the 'faceless world of the internet,' but you gotta wonder if this jerk feels the same way about pedestrians with strollers, or joggers, or any vehicle (like farm equipment) that is slowing him down. Assholes like this should be forced to take the bus. Wonder how he'd react if his wife and kids get hit by a motorcycle while crossing under a "don't walk" sign...probably still blame the rider, but then maybe he'll see what damage a "bug on a windshield" can really do.

Not meaning to rant, especially over one single-minded prick, but it just plants the seed in my head of how cagers might really feel about us...because, lets face it, they really do group us all together.

[kbroderick]

Witness's told the story as well, either way, you don't tangle with an RV, end of story.

Somehow I missed the "a witness told investigators" bit. And yes, I'd agree--the law of gross tonnage trumps damn near every right-of-way rule I can think of. I sure as heck wouldn't want to claim right-of-way over a Civic, nevermind an RV, when on my bike.

[kb1]

Somehow I missed the "a witness told investigators" bit. And yes, I'd agree--the law of gross tonnage trumps damn near every right-of-way rule I can think of. I sure as heck wouldn't want to claim right-of-way over a Civic, nevermind an RV, when on my bike.

Yup, it's funny you say civic, because I drive a civic so I understand that I literally have no right of way with anything other than other small cars. So I spend most of my time driving around people and stay ahead of people. When I get on the bike it's the same thing.

I couldn't believe the other day on the pike, there were two Harley's in the highspeed lane doing 60mph prime commuting time. I tried to give them some space, but the obviously felt I was too close. The started brake checking me! I couldn't believe it. One tap and they both would be laying on the pavement. I always just move over and let people go by, or go faster.