Posted on 08/11/2009 5:27:57 PM PDT by Amerigomag
A motorcyclist was killed Monday in a collision with a motor home on Highway 101’s Conejo Grade after he slowed rapidly in front of the recreational vehicle in an apparent road-rage incident, authorities said.
The motorcyclist, a 57-year-old Ventura man, was killed about 12:22 p.m. on southbound Highway 101 near Camarillo Springs Road when he collided with a roughly 30-foot motor home driven by Michael Antoine, 68, of Thousand Oaks, said Officer Terry Uhrich of the California Highway Patrol’s Moorpark office.
The motorcyclist and Antoine were both traveling about 55 mph when the collision occurred in the right lane, authorities said. Witnesses and Antoine later told authorities that the motorcyclist had made obscene hand gestures, pulled in front of the motor home, then slowed down dramatically, Uhrich said.
Antoine did not have time to react and struck the back of the low-slung custom motorcycle, causing it to become stuck under the front of the RV, authorities said. The motorcyclist was thrown from the bike, run over by the motor home and dragged underneath for about 75 feet, Uhrich said. Unable to steer, Antoine continued about 500 feet and hit the center divider, Uhrich said.
(Excerpt) Read more at venturacountystar.com ...
I love a happy ending.
Probably too old to be a Darwin Award winner.
How perfect for Orange County Choppers.
They could build a coffin-bike for this guy to be buried in!
That’s gonna leave a mark!
No wonder the loons keep getting reelected in California. There were over 200 comments after the article and almost all were touchy-feeley handwringing over the poor biker, with a few shots at the old fud RV driver. Not many mentioned the road-rage factor. What a bunch of wimps!
Only under ObamaCare.
Well, at least he died doing what he loved- being an idiot.
The location is a big freeway, about four lanes each direction, and a surprisingly steep downhill section.
But location side, the bigger issue is how the biker lived this long?
The location is a big freeway, about four lanes each direction, and a surprisingly steep downhill section.
But location side, the bigger issue is how the biker lived this long?
If this event happened as reported, then yes this biker definitely was none too bright.
I have a hard time believing the MH could catch up to a bike from behind if he was paying attention, so either he broke quickly in front of the MH or he slowed because he lost control for some reason. Either way, being that close to a 30’ RV on a downhill grade ain’t wise either way.
30-foot motor home: 1
Low-slung custom motorcycle: 0
The article clearly states he made rude hand gestures and then swerved in front of the RV and "slowed down dramatically", which to me means he slammed on his brakes after pulled directly in front of the RV, I would assume he did this in an attempt to cause the RV to lose control and have an accident, which is what happened but with different consequences than the biker envisioned.
My apologies to all. This article belongs under the California Topic but the FR server apparently no longer recognizes state topics. What is “Local News”?
in high school, he would have been the kid to ask, “ When am I ever going to need to know physics,man?”
The article states what the DRIVER OF THE RV REPORTED, keep that in mind.
I am not saying that isn’t what happened, but what is REPORTED, is not always what happened.
The night the nut job decided to shoot up a health club last week all the local networks were reporting the cops said it was a “domestic” incident.
Remember, the driver of the bike isn’t around to report his side of things.
I am not saying the RV driver is not telling the truth, just that simply because something is reported, does not mean that is what happened.
Too bad...looked like a nice bike. Unlike the operator it might be salvageable.
True. And I don't ride anymore, but I don't ever remember being so distracted that I didn't notice an RV closing on me.
Did you miss this part? Witnesses and...
Never bring a low slung bike to an RV fight.
 |
  |
| Visit the FMH Swag Store & support FR! | |
| Send FReepmail if you want on/off FMH list | |
| The List of Ping Lists | |
I wonder what this guy was thinking as he was being crushed and ground to death under the wheels? I bet for a split second he thought, "I'm stupid and really dead".
No doubt this will be a closed casket funeral for this moron.
Bet the motor still fires up.
He is lucky he didnt hit a truck
I can honestly say that I'd never heard or read those phrases before you posted them.
I've never owned a motorcycle though, maybe that's the reason.
Had a similar incident near Kingman, Arizona a few years ago. Driving a converted school bus, I was pulling a grade at about 45 mph. A pickup truck impatiently followed.
Upon reaching the top of the hill, the pickup roared around and blocked the road.
The driver came running back, approached the drivers window, and yelled, Get out of there, I’m going to kick your a**”! BUT, HE WAS lol
Sticking his head into the window, he suddenly recoiled as Washoe, my Great Dane, who stood 36 inches tall at the shoulder, attempted to “take a bite out of crime”.
“And if that $%*@!#& dog wasn’t in there I would kick your a**. BUT HE WAS! lol
No, that is not what was reported.
""Witnesses and Antoine later told authorities that the motorcyclist had made obscene hand gestures, pulled in front of the motor home, then slowed down dramatically, Uhrich said.""
Sorry, folks, I ain’t buyin’ the RV guy’s story.
Based on what? Thin air?
There were witnessed that backed up the RV drivers statement.
Just reading the comments... MANY Californians have some weird disease, I think. It’s as if they are blinded by their own preconceptions, oblivious to fact, and proud of it! Thank goodness I didn’t marry that girl from Seal Beach.
That's odd, as some of the most inconsistent, baseless and inaccurate statements here were made by people from Pennsylvania and Georgia. lol...
Ya should of married the girl from Seal Beach.
I had this happen to me in Florida, except for the accident part.
But ... was he wearing a helmet?
No, I should NOT have. In any case here’s one of those posts:
- - - - -
Posted by islandog on August 10, 2009 at 8:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This was a dear friend of mine, an experienced rider who rode as good as any motorcyclist I’ve known. I witnessed the aftermath of this coming down the grade, saw his bike and knew who it was. This is a sad day for the entire Ventura HOG Chapter who knew and loved this man. He was one of the good ones. Motorists have got to be more cautious and realize the motorcycles are extremely vulnerable. Cars, truck and motorhomes are weapons in the hands of drivers that are not paying attention to motorcylists and yielding proper space to keep them safe. From now on this will be the Kashdan grade in memory of our dear friend.
- - -
Bet he doesn’t do that again.
On the road.
Guess this dude was not wise.
No, MOTORCYCLISTS need to remember that if they drive as if the other vehicles on the road can't see them, they have a 50/50 chance of surviving! Motorcyclists need to ride as if they're in "DeathRace 2000," and the other drivers get extra points for killing the biker! I've had cars rear-end me 3 different times while I was driving my car while stopped at a stop light! Had I been on my bike, I would have been killed all 3 times. I simply don't know how to make my Toyota "more visible" to other drivers!
And in this case, from the witness accounts, it sounds like the guy on the bike tried to "freak out" the RV driver, while forgetting the very simple, but important fact, that bikes stop a whole lot quicker than just about any 4 wheel vehicle. Which is why it's so important to know what's going on behind you while you're riding a bike.
Mark
Uh, I was referring to this site, on this thread and the posts by members on *this* thread, right here, right now. lol...
Really? Was he about 57 years old, and riding a $35k bike? Or was it one of those Daytona week warriors proving how tough they are?
I do not believe this happened the way it is being portrayed.
Based on what? Thin air?
There were witnessed that backed up the RV drivers statement.
Based on 42 years of MC riding experience
It really doesn't matter if your a astronaut, with 6 missions to the lunar surface.
Based on the article, the fact is there were *witnesses* that witnessed the biker flip off the MH, and then slow abruptly directly in front of it.
wow...
Why would the witnesses on scene, lie about the events?
In addition to totally ignoring what the witnesses on scene stated, you seem to have reading difficulties.
From the article: The motorcyclist and Antoine were both traveling about 55 mph when the collision occurred in the right lane,
Yes, it does matter. That you say it doesn’t, means you know nothing, you only have an opinion.
Even if the witnesses were in separate vehicles, witnesses make mistakes all the time. Where were the witnesses? Behind the RV, to the side of the RV, in front of the RV, in the opposing lanes?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.