BAD ! Motorcycle crash

[DirtyDan]

https://www.yahoo.com/news/motorcycles-pickup-crash-witness-describes-003252588.html

Dan

[Rams]

Wow!   

Rams

[oldsmokey]

Indications are the hot shot hauler may not have maintained their lane of travel. Had to be incredibly overwhelming on responders. Five reported to be from Boston area. Terrible for all involved.

[Hook#3287]

Man, that's bad.

Been on that highway many a times, heading up to NH tomorrow.

10 riders hurt or killed, so at least 5 bikes involved.

USMC club/group out of the Boston area.

Wondering if the truck driver had a medical issue.

[Farside]

I can't imagine rolling up on that scene. So sorry for the riders and families. I heard they were mostly Vets from the same club. I haven't heard what caused the truck driver to strike these bikers. 

[NewValker]

Saw an interview with a b&b owner, he said some of those guys were staying at his place, 500feet from the accident site. Hate to think they pulled out as a group and truck came over the rise and had no place to go.
Just thinking it out, not blaming anyone. I try to learn the cause of m/c accidents and become a better rider.
Craig

[Rams]

I can't imagine rolling up on that scene. So sorry for the riders and families. I heard they were mostly Vets from the same club. I haven't heard what caused the truck driver to strike these bikers.  

Do we know the Ram driver was at fault?
Having ridden on quite a few multiple bike rides, I am very aware of how we crowd the center line.  I see it every time I ride in a group.   In that I Hot Shot and pull several gooseneck trailers, I can honestly say that such rigs normally ride the center line on two lane roads.   Especially when cornering around right hand curves.  I honestly don't know who was at fault but, I know that when riding in groups (especially, tight riding groups) an incident taking out one bike will take out several.  

I sincerely regret that such an incident happened but, I can't place blame at this time and I don't think anyone else can.

Rams

[NewValker]

Just saw an interview with an eyewitness, he said the truck drifted over the yellow, he saw the bikes and swerved hard right, and the empty trailer jack knifed across the entire road. Bikes had nowhere to go and no time to stop.
Truck driver was 25 yrs. old working for an auto transport company out of W. Springfield, MA.
When I think of all the ways we could crash, this one never came to mind...

Be safe,
Craig

[Valkorado]

Just saw an interview with an eyewitness, he said the truck drifted over the yellow, he saw the bikes and swerved hard right, and the empty trailer jack knifed across the entire road. Bikes had nowhere to go and no time to stop.
Truck driver was 25 yrs. old working for an auto transport company out of W. Springfield, MA.
When I think of all the ways we could crash, this one never came to mind...

Be safe,
Craig

Empty trailers = Street sweepers.   Awful story.

[Rams]

Just saw an interview with an eyewitness, he said the truck drifted over the yellow, he saw the bikes and swerved hard right, and the empty trailer jack knifed across the entire road. Bikes had nowhere to go and no time to stop.
Truck driver was 25 yrs. old working for an auto transport company out of W. Springfield, MA.
When I think of all the ways we could crash, this one never came to mind...

Be safe,
Craig

Not suggesting it didn't happen that way.   Based on my own experience with empty goosenecks, the driver must have locked up the brakes on the Ram for such a result.   Were the road conditions wet?   Again, not suggesting the Ram driver was not at fault, just trying to understand what happened and how it occurred.

Rams

[NewValker]

Just saw an interview with an eyewitness, he said the truck drifted over the yellow, he saw the bikes and swerved hard right, and the empty trailer jack knifed across the entire road. Bikes had nowhere to go and no time to stop.
Truck driver was 25 yrs. old working for an auto transport company out of W. Springfield, MA.
When I think of all the ways we could crash, this one never came to mind...

Be safe,
Craig

Not suggesting it didn't happen that way.   Based on my own experience with empty goosenecks, the driver must have locked up the brakes on the Ram for such a result.   Were the road conditions wet?   Again, not suggesting the Ram driver was not at fault, just trying to understand what happened and how it occurred.

Rams

The first news feed I saw was an hour after it happened, and the road was dry.
I can see it happened that way, inexperience and panic.
Are the trailer brakes adjustable from truck on a gooseneck? I’ve driven smaller trailers and if heavy load we up the brakes, but if you don’t back them off empty they lock quick.
Craig

[Rams]

Just saw an interview with an eyewitness, he said the truck drifted over the yellow, he saw the bikes and swerved hard right, and the empty trailer jack knifed across the entire road. Bikes had nowhere to go and no time to stop.
Truck driver was 25 yrs. old working for an auto transport company out of W. Springfield, MA.
When I think of all the ways we could crash, this one never came to mind...

Be safe,
Craig

Not suggesting it didn't happen that way.   Based on my own experience with empty goosenecks, the driver must have locked up the brakes on the Ram for such a result.   That is not meant to suggest the Ram driver is/was at fault.   Could have been the result of trying to avoid riders, wasn't there, don't know.  Were the road conditions wet?   Again, not suggesting the Ram driver was not at fault, just trying to understand what happened and how it occurred.

Rams

The first news feed I saw was an hour after it happened, and the road was dry.
I can see it happened that way, inexperience and panic.
Are the trailer brakes adjustable from truck on a gooseneck? I’ve driven smaller trailers and if heavy load we up the brakes, but if you don’t back them off empty they lock quick.
Craig

Trailer brakes should be adjusted to the load being transported.   When empty or unloaded (assuming he had electric brakes) they should have been adjusted to a lighter braking.   I believe that trailer is very similar to two of mine.   Both have electric brakes.   Semi/tractor trailers have airbrakes and I have very little experience with them.  

For that gooseneck to have been sliding sideways, he was on a path to jack knifing his rig.   Have seen that before.   If, that is true then, I believe he was probably well across the centerline and was attempting to jerk it back to avoid the bikers.   Wasn't there so, I can't be sure.  

Regardless, a very tragic end result.   May their souls rest in peace.  

Rams  

[old2soon]

      Been out of the high seat of an 18 wheeler a smidge over 10 years. The brakes were Always set for the heaviest load. BUT this ain't that. And I am NOT familiar with electric brakes. Whoever is at fault the outcome is very tragic no matter how it pans out. Most of us here on the board have been a part of a large ride. We KNOW how quick things can go totally delta sierra. I will NOT at this point speculate as I was NOT there. Sadly more Brothers I Never Knew. R I P.  RIDE SAFE.

[Hook#3287]

Just saw an interview with an eyewitness, he said the truck drifted over the yellow, he saw the bikes and swerved hard right, and the empty trailer jack knifed across the entire road. Bikes had nowhere to go and no time to stop.
Truck driver was 25 yrs. old working for an auto transport company out of W. Springfield, MA.
When I think of all the ways we could crash, this one never came to mind...

Be safe,
Craig

Based on that info, bet chances are the truck driver was texting.

No matter why, it just sucks.

[scooperhsd]

Wouldn't surprise me at all about the truck driver texting.....

[old2soon]

          Latest report I read lists the hot shot driver as 23 with a first and last name I find difficult to pronounce. And at the present time his-the drivers-employer has NOT heard from his employee after what was termed as repeated attempts to get hold of the driver. While I am NOT sure of the legalities shouldn't the driver been placed into protective custody or something similar? RIDE SAFE.

[Serk]

While I am NOT sure of the legalities shouldn't the driver been placed into protective custody or something similar? RIDE SAFE.

Why should Volodoymyr Zhukovskyy be arrested or charged for anything? It was only bikers he killed, not real people...     

[oldsmokey]

Individual that works with one of the members of that chapter commented that the group had checked in and then when for a short ride. This one member chose not to go for whatever reason. Believe they were all returning, only a couple hundred yards from destination as mentioned above when crash happened.
Photo I saw appeared to be short lock up marks, all in the opposite lane. Looked as though most of the unit ended up in the gutter with fire involved.
Absolute tragedy, so many people affected by someone's actions within seconds.

[Moonshot_1]

Terrible tragedy. Much is not known about the crash. Many assume the driver of the truck and trailer is responsible and the odds are he will be held responsible but I am holding such judgement until the investigation is complete.

Perhaps there was other traffic involved that made the driver lose control and hit the bikers. We don't really know what set this tragedy off.

There doesn't seem to be anything  felonious implied here as road rage or intent to kill.

It will be interesting to see what triggered this and how everyone reacted. Much to learn from this one.

Condolences to the families.

[Willow]

Terrible tragedy. Much is not known about the crash. Many assume the driver of the truck and trailer is responsible and the odds are he will be held responsible but I am holding such judgement until the investigation is complete.

Perhaps there was other traffic involved that made the driver lose control and hit the bikers. We don't really know what set this tragedy off.

There doesn't seem to be anything  felonious implied here as road rage or intent to kill.

It will be interesting to see what triggered this and how everyone reacted. Much to learn from this one.

Condolences to the families.

Apparently you haven't read the same reports as others.  Witnesses indicate the truck drifted across the line.  When the driver realized he was in the lane to hit the motorcycles he jerked the truck to the right causing the trailer to jackknife across the motorcycles' lane.

No question of fault.  Only remaining question is why.

I have two observations.  Inattentiveness (Possibly texting) and twenty-three.   

[Bighead]

Based on that info, bet the truck driver was texting.


Huh I know all too often texting and driving causes MVC’s.  But where did this come from? We have all drifted into another lane (if you say you haven’t you are not truthful with yourself) hell he could have been looking do n at his radio or even nodding off for that matter.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Just saw an interview with an eyewitness, he said the truck drifted over the yellow, he saw the bikes and swerved hard right, and the empty trailer jack knifed across the entire road. Bikes had nowhere to go and no time to stop.
Truck driver was 25 yrs. old working for an auto transport company out of W. Springfield, MA.
When I think of all the ways we could crash, this one never came to mind...

Be safe,
Craig

Based on that info, bet the truck driver was texting.

No matter why, it just sucks.

Probably a pretty safe bet. It is very sad indeed.

[Rams]

Based on that info, bet the truck driver was texting.


Huh I know all too often texting and driving causes MVC’s.  But where did this come from? We have all drifted into another lane (if you say you haven’t you are not truthful with yourself) hell he could have been looking do n at his radio or even nodding off for that matter.

If, the truck driver was texting or on the phone, the phone service provider will let the world know.  If, the phone survived the crash and fire, it will also tell the tale. 

Rams

[Bighead]

Based on that info, bet the truck driver was texting.


Huh I know all too often texting and driving causes MVC’s.  But where did this come from? We have all drifted into another lane (if you say you haven’t you are not truthful with yourself) hell he could have been looking do n at his radio or even nodding off for that matter.

If, the truck driver was texting or on the phone, the phone service provider will let the world know.  If, the phone survived the crash and fire, it will also tell the tale. 

Rams

Understood 100% but just to say that is (I bet) what happened is BS. I get highly pissed when I see drivers texting and bring it to most of their attention. But not gonna lay money that is what happened.

[Kidd]

It's reasons like  this crash is why I quit riding , been riding for 50 fun/lucky years .

There were 4 or more killed in a crash in Phx area  a few years back  by a meth head truck driver .
The bikers were at a red light  , waiting for green .

[The emperor has no clothes]

Based on that info, bet the truck driver was texting.


Huh I know all too often texting and driving causes MVC’s.  But where did this come from? We have all drifted into another lane (if you say you haven’t you are not truthful with yourself) hell he could have been looking do n at his radio or even nodding off for that matter.

If, the truck driver was texting or on the phone, the phone service provider will let the world know.  If, the phone survived the crash and fire, it will also tell the tale. 

Rams

Understood 100% but just to say that is (I bet) what happened is BS. I get highly pissed when I see drivers texting and bring it to most of their attention. But not gonna lay money that is what happened.

I doubt Bill is looking for a monetary bet. It's just an expression.

[The emperor has no clothes]

It's reasons like  this crash is why I quit riding , been riding for 50 fun/lucky years .

There were 4 or more killed in a crash in Phx area  a few years back  by a meth head truck driver .
The bikers were at a red light  , waiting for green .

I can understand the sentiment. I quit riding for a while after a couple bad accidents. It's just something that gives me joy. Hard to give up joy.

[cookiedough]

Is there one day that goes by if say in a big city that anyone does not see mostly at stop lights looking over that a (usually) younger driver under age 30 is not texting?  Sometimes I beep my horn if on a cycle and look over if stopped and if they even acknowledge,  put my hand to my ear/helmet and just shake my head back and forth NO.  Maybe it will eventually save someones life if not pissing them off first?

I have done it stopped at a rural country road no traffic or cars nearby and know even that is not right, but not in heavy traffic since really pisses me off when someone in front is on their darn phone and green light means go and 10 seconds later they are still stopped.  That is when LOUD horns or LOUD exhaust can wake them up.   

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

Driver charged. Drug testing pending, which may bring further charges.

https://www.wcvb.com/article/officials-to-release-names-of-7-killed-in-randolph-crash-1561383396/28169621

[signart]

Terrible tragedy. Much is not known about the crash. Many assume the driver of the truck and trailer is responsible and the odds are he will be held responsible but I am holding such judgement until the investigation is complete.

Perhaps there was other traffic involved that made the driver lose control and hit the bikers. We don't really know what set this tragedy off.

There doesn't seem to be anything  felonious implied here as road rage or intent to kill.

It will be interesting to see what triggered this and how everyone reacted. Much to learn from this one.

Condolences to the families.

Apparently you haven't read the same reports as others.  Witnesses indicate the truck drifted across the line.  When the driver realized he was in the lane to hit the motorcycles he jerked the truck to the right causing the trailer to jackknife across the motorcycles' lane.

No question of fault.  Only remaining question is why.

I have two observations.  Inattentiveness (Possibly texting) and twenty-three.   

No question he crossed into the oncoming lane, but jerking the wheel right and jackknifing doesn't add up, because he ended up across the opposing lane.
However it happened, that is way too much trailer for a single wheel pickup truck, even empty. I have a theory and that's all it is, and that is "the tail was wagging the dog".

[Hook#3287]

Based on that info, bet the truck driver was texting.


Huh I know all too often texting and driving causes MVC’s.  But where did this come from? We have all drifted into another lane (if you say you haven’t you are not truthful with yourself) hell he could have been looking do n at his radio or even nodding off for that matter.

If, the truck driver was texting or on the phone, the phone service provider will let the world know.  If, the phone survived the crash and fire, it will also tell the tale.  

Rams

Understood 100% but just to say that is (I bet) what happened is BS. I get highly pissed when I see drivers texting and bring it to most of their attention. But not gonna lay money that is what happened.

I doubt Bill is looking for a monetary bet. It's just an expression.

Ha, you'd be right there Rob, besides, you still owe me

Ok, Bighead, seeing as my "BS" personal expression of  "bet" seems to be upsetting to you, I'll change it to "chances are".

Let me know if that works for you.
 

[Bigwolf]

Just saw an interview with an eyewitness, he said the truck drifted over the yellow, he saw the bikes and swerved hard right, and the empty trailer jack knifed across the entire road. Bikes had nowhere to go and no time to stop.
Truck driver was 25 yrs. old working for an auto transport company out of W. Springfield, MA.
When I think of all the ways we could crash, this one never came to mind...

Be safe,
Craig

The photo of the crash scene indicates that the eye witness testimony is not the full story.

[valknation]

The driver of the truck has since been arrested. My prayers go out to those lost, their families, loved ones, etc. Really makes you realize how vulnerable you are out there on the road.

[old2soon]

         This rat bass turd has a history of D U Is. If he has a C D L How zackly after convictions was he able to keep his license? Wrist slaps absofrikkinlutely MUST/HAS TO/CEASE Now!  And Maybe just Maybe investigate the Company he was driving for.  But that may be like Just Me!  RIDE SAFE.

[NewValker]

Yup history of DUIs and drug charges, and drugs in room with him when arrested in Springfield, MA.
Human debris...

Bigwolf, what do you see there?

Craig

[Hook#3287]

It's my understanding that one of the injured riders is from my town.

[NewValker]

Hey Bill, didn’t know that. I haven’t seen the names of the injured anywhere.
I’ll keep a lookout for them, can’t do much else ...
Ride safe all
Craig

[Serk]

"Joshua Morin 45 of Dalton, Mass. remains in stable condition at Maine Medical Center. Steven Lewis, 58, of Brimfield, Mass. was treated and released."

https://boston.cbslocal.com/2019/06/23/randolph-new-hampshire-motorcycles-truck-crash-identities-released/

[DirtyDan]

Update

https://www.yahoo.com/news/truck-driver-charged-7-homicides-162141644.html

Dan

[Bighead]

Based on that info, bet the truck driver was texting.


Huh I know all too often texting and driving causes MVC’s.  But where did this come from? We have all drifted into another lane (if you say you haven’t you are not truthful with yourself) hell he could have been looking do n at his radio or even nodding off for that matter.

If, the truck driver was texting or on the phone, the phone service provider will let the world know.  If, the phone survived the crash and fire, it will also tell the tale.  

Rams

Understood 100% but just to say that is (I bet) what happened is BS. I get highly pissed when I see drivers texting and bring it to most of their attention. But not gonna lay money that is what happened.

I doubt Bill is looking for a monetary bet. It's just an expression.

Ha, you'd be right there Rob, besides, you still owe me

Ok, Bighead, seeing as my "BS" personal expression of  "bet" seems to be upsetting to you, I'll change it to "chances are".

Let me know if that works for you.
 

Didn’t upset me but it is like you are counting the chickens before the eggs are hatched.(jumping to conclusions) I get pissed at texting and driving but you had no facts and said you were sure that is what caused this. I was merely stating or questioning why you  BET  that was the cause.