Fatal motorcycle Hit & Run Sunday night,Denver, CO link to video-caution graphic

[DenverDave]

http://www.kdvr.com/news/kdvr-video-shows-moment-of-impact-in-fatal-denver-hitandrun-20110628,0,1342635.story

Suspect arrested

[f6john]

     We all know once we see the tire smoke that a crash is unavoidable. My instinct would be to stand on the brakes too. Could a highly skilled rider have driven around the idiot that pulled out and blocked the lane? I need more "accident avoidance" training.

[Brad]

It is hard to second guess something after the fact but the car pulled out at a slow speed and it looks like the bike never saw him until he was blocking his lane.  He should have seen the car before it ever entered the street.  Between cars turning left and pulling out from side streets and parking lots it's a wonder any of us are still riding.

[MacDragon]

Can't really see from the video what the path of sight was to the right from the MC point of view.  He was apparently going pretty fast for the business area street he was on.  It's too bad.  To some extent, it was a fault on both.  The Jeep pulling out when he shouldn't have... and the MC going too fast.  Regardless... I hate seeing this kind of thing.  It just goes to show ya that we have to keep our eyes moving all the time while on the road.  Cage or MC.

[Bonzo]

Poor guy never really had a chance. High rate of speed and no room.

[Chrisj CMA]

I agree........too fast, you can tell how late he put the brakes on, reaction time did not allow for an evasive move.  Had he been going slower and the same thing happened he would have had more options.

I dont think the driver would have gotten more than a right of way ticket had he just stayed there like an adult

[x]

All that smoke suggests a common problem amongst bikers... lock the rear wheel while not applying enough front brake.
 
I can't tell for sure if the biker had enough room to stop but a locked rear tire and insufficient front brake is a recipe for disaster.
 
This video convinces me I need to go out and do some panic stop practicing.

[Gryphon Rider]

Here's my analysis:
1. SUV driver made an illegal turn.  If there was an opening in the centre line allowing the turn, the accident still would have happened.
2. The motorcyclist was going significantly faster than traffic going the opposite direction.  My guess is at least 50% faster.  The SUV may well have seen the motorcycle, but it was way down the road and wouldn't have been an issue if it was travelling at a normal speed.
3. Even at that speed, the rider could have swerved into the right lane.
4. Even at that speed the rider could have used his front brakes instead of just his rear (his smoking rear tire didn't appear to slow him down) and gotten down to a survivable impact speed.  Two days ago I was in a similar situation.  I was on a four lane road doing 40-44 MPH with my head in the clouds approaching an intersection.  I was almost at the near crosswalk when I saw a pickup entering the intersection from my right.  I got stopped with about 12 feet to spare.

[3fan4life]

I agree........too fast, you can tell how late he put the brakes on, reaction time did not allow for an evasive move.  Had he been going slower and the same thing happened he would have had more options.

I dont think the driver would have gotten more than a right of way ticket had he just stayed there like an adult

After watching the video I would have to totally agree on all points.

[Gryphon Rider]

This video convinces me I need to go out and do some panic stop practicing.

SE,
Like I said in my previous post, I was able to stop in a similar situation.  This is the first time in my riding career that I've had to stop that hard on a public road.  I practise emergency (not panic) braking EVERY SPRING.  Find a willing riding buddy or two (never do this alone) and practise progressively harder stops until your rear tire is barely skidding and your front tire actually slides for the last 6-18 inches.  Then ride towards your buddy, who is on his feet to the side of your intended path with his bike well out of the way, and wait for his signal (such as dropping his arm) before reaching for your levers.  Do all this at about 25 MPH.

[sugerbear]

if you watch just before the accident, biker was in the left lane and just passed a car in the right lane.
possibly blocking his view, and going too fast.
in my accident i was doing about 35. managed to get around the car but lost it on the other side trying to avoid a semi coming the other way.

missed it by THAT much , but, i'm still here

[old2soon]

I try to keep the head and eyes moving at all times while riding and driving. Expect the unexpected. Easier said than done. Some of the board members here are M S F instucters. Circumstances dictate the actions and/or reactions. Again easier said than done. Practicing is not as dangerous as the real thing. Would i do any better in similar circumstances?? Truth-i hope i never have to find out. Like not finding out will happen. Every one that looks at the video will try to second guess it. I am truly sorry that young man lost his life. Anytime i ride i try to be aware of whats going on around me. These days though they is far to many jokers in the deck.  Pay attention here. I am not saying the s u v driver was drunk. What i find interesting though is the fact he has prior dui/dwi convictions. We need as a people to figure out a way to keep the drunk drivers OFF the roads. When i lived in east texas the garage in town was also the 24/7 wrecker service. The owners son put up a 4 by 8 plywood in the customer area. The board had a line down the middle and one half was for alcohol related accidents and the other half non alcohol accidents. Wasn't long at all that the alcohol related took over the entire board and a new board was added. Why do we keep letting CONVICTED drunk drivers keep on driving. Rant off. Please please RIDE SAFE.

[Chrisj CMA]

They're everywhere.  I was behind a dude on his Road King today (I was in my truck)  We traveled through a 45 mph zone which had several lights.  as luck would have it we hit almost every red light.  This dude NEVER touched his front brake, back braking only the whole way...if someone would have jetted out in front of him it would have been hopeless for him. 

Many are so convinced back brakes only is the right thing, theyh will actually argue it.  Its just stupid

[bigguy]

I had a young woman pull out of an alley in front of me as I was traveling a three lane main road. I was in the far right lane. There was a car about two car lengths ahead of me in the middle lane. The far left lane was empty. She pulled out just as the car came even with her. I aimed for the line between the right and middle lanes, then got on both brakes. I just barely went behind her, but another coat of paint on either vehicle, and we'd have hit.
I saw her sitting there, but had discounted her because I was hugging the back of a pack and didn't think she had time to get in front of me. It's only because she pulled out BEFORE the car got past her, then stomped the gas, that she got that close.
I did a blog with a longer description.

Link to blog

[The Anvil]

They're everywhere.  I was behind a dude on his Road King today (I was in my truck)  We traveled through a 45 mph zone which had several lights.  as luck would have it we hit almost every red light.  This dude NEVER touched his front brake, back braking only the whole way...if someone would have jetted out in front of him it would have been hopeless for him. 

Many are so convinced back brakes only is the right thing, theyh will actually argue it.  Its just stupid

Not only that but he's on a supersport bike, looks like a Ducati or Gixxer. You get maybe 10% (as little as zero under panic braking) of your braking effectiveness from the rear brake. On a cruiser you get a lot more.

[Westernbiker]

Cops had a warrent out for his arrest but they negotiated with him for about 24 hours? WTH? Pick his a$$ up!!

[bigguy]

Cops had a warrent out for his arrest but they negotiated with him for about 24 hours? WTH? Pick his a$$ up!!

+1

[donaldcc]

    Too bad for this guy.  Seems preventable. 

  Speed to high for conditions.

  No situational awareness.  I always try to be ready for left turners and if they are there my fingers are resting on front brake lever.

  Short video seems to show that if he was prepared, on brakes early (with lots of front) that he had time to knock off speed and right swerve. 

   I will learn from this and not make same mistakes.