On the Day of the 30th Anniversary of my First Motorcycle Wreck, a Death

In the same town I lived in someone died because of an inattentive motorist. On Monday, 30 June 2014 Michael Phelps, 66 of Allenstown was traveling eastbound on School Street riding his Honda VTX motorcycle. Not some kid’s bike but a large heavy motorcycle that should look something like this one.

2005_Honda_VTX_1300R

Mr. Phelps was making a left turn to travel north on Allenstown road. Unfortunately Jordan Heath of Concord was driving south on Allenstown Road, Miss. Heath was distracted state police say and drove through a red light striking Mr. Phelps and injuring him severely. a bystander used a leather belt as a tourniquet, and Mr. Phelps was able to be moved by ambulance to Concord hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.

Now I took this information pretty much whole from the Concord Monitor and the Manchester Union Leader newspapers. Neither newspaper has anything to say about charges being brought against the driver of the automobile that struck and killed Mr. Phelps.

School Street and Allenstown Road Allenstown, NH

This is all that’s left after the ambulance leaves, a wrecked motorcycle lying in the road. The rider has been taken away find out his fate. The transport truck is on its way to pick up the pieces. I’ve been in this situation, lying in the street wondering if I’m going to be run over by a passing automobile. Wondering how bad my injuries are going to be once some time has passed. In August of 2013 I was in a dangerous situation where a distracted motorist pushed us, me and my bike, into a guard rail. My right foot actually touched the guard rail before she pulled her automobile away. When I saw at the traffic light that she was back in the through lane and indeed not turning right I walked over and broke her windshield then sat down a safe distance away to wait for the arrival of the police. It turned out I was legally in the wrong because I didn’t have any injuries.

There hasn’t been any word of charges being filed against Miss Heath. I can only hope that Miss heath is charged with something more severe than “distracted driving.” Mr. Phelps died after meeting her. I can only hope against all hope that the defense “I didn’t see him” fails to stand. But there’s a reason some motorcyclists sport attention getting safety orange or green shirts with wording on the back “Can You See Me Now?”

Biker’s Against Dumb Drivers, Can You See Me Now?

I bet that you’re upset seeing the word Asshole! Right?

Read this if you dare.