Ducati Monster Forum

Looks like it happened a little after 1:00pm this afternoon. Group of bikes involved in crash with "semi or large vehicle"...
3 dead, many injured.

http://www.abc15.com/content/news/phoenixmetro/north/story/FD-3-dead-6-hurt-in-HUGE-wreck-on-Carefree-Highway/VwL7ONcC50ut3E2abcC4Qg.cspx (http://www.abc15.com/content/news/phoenixmetro/north/story/FD-3-dead-6-hurt-in-HUGE-wreck-on-Carefree-Highway/VwL7ONcC50ut3E2abcC4Qg.cspx)

http://www.azcentral.com/community/northvalley/articles/2010/03/25/20100325motorcyle-crashes-phoenix.html (http://www.azcentral.com/community/northvalley/articles/2010/03/25/20100325motorcyle-crashes-phoenix.html)

Apparently, this is a video on the news - it didn't load for me (having network issues)
http://www.kpho.com/video/22958978/index.html (http://www.kpho.com/video/22958978/index.html)

There's a Ducati Monster on the scene.  ???

A dozen motorcycles at a stop light got ran over by that dump truck before it burst into flames. In the video the reporter says there are several dead bodies still under the dump truck.  :'(

I'm guessing the driver was drunk because you can see in the video he's doing a sobriety test.

(http://www.bestdesignever.com/ducati/carefree-accident.jpg)

http://www.kpho.com/video/22958978/ (http://www.kpho.com/video/22958978/)

Wow.

That is just horrible.

In the news articles, it states the driver did not appear to be impaired.  Odd you wouldn't see the bikes, the SUV in front of them or the traffic light, however.

Here's another image. Looks like a red trellis frame on pearl white.

(http://www.bestdesignever.com/ducati/carefree-accident-2.jpg)

RIP

 :-[

Looks like an older one from here.... maybe S4RS? God bless 'em all, either way.  :'(

You would think.  Not the first time a bike has been rear-ended at a red light.

Tragic.  :'(

suck.



RIP guys  :'(

Impaired meaning on any sort of drug. I'd lay money a cell phone was involved somehow.

I was referring to Michael's claim that the driver was "drunk".

It does say in one of the articles that he, "wasn't paying attention...shuffling paperwork".

Sucks for all involved.

Randy is right, the driver later said he was looking down at paperwork instead of look up at the road. However, in some of the early reports they leaned towards alcohol being an issue because you can see the policeman giving the driver a sobriety test (and in the video it didn't look like he was passing it).

More on this.

Go here to see the group's page -- http://www.meetup.com/Phoenix-M-C-Kruzers/calendar/12890674/ (http://www.meetup.com/Phoenix-M-C-Kruzers/calendar/12890674/)

On the right side of that page you can see a few of the members that confirmed that they were going. Sadly you can match some of those profile photos with the bikes in the crash photos. A lot of people assume it was all guys, but as you can see there were a lot of women in that group.

I'm trying to find out about my friend Julian, but whoever owns that Ducati is probably okay since it was parked nicely facing the other direction.

Anyway, here is the group's route -- maps.google.com (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=2450+E+UNION+HILLS+Drive+Phoenix,+AZ+85050&daddr=N+Cave+Creek+Rd+to:47801+N.+Black+Canyon+Hwy.+New+River,+Arizona+85087+to:Lake+Pleasant+Rd+to:20808+East+Bartlett+Dam+Road,+Scottsdale,+AZ+85262+(Bartlett+Lake+Marina)+to:N+Lone+Mountain+Pkwy+to:N+Legend+Trail+Pkwy+to:33.791061,-111.925821&hl=en&geocode=FRKJAQIdDY9S-SmTIEKuyHErhzH8_rgDBl4f_g%3BFQgqAwIdmjdT-Q%3BFXaNBQIddd5Q-SktQ4pQIJwshzFuL8dC-M7E0w%3BFeDOAwId3lZP-Q%3BFb1UBAIdaY5Y-SGESpOGRzklRinRP1WrFo8rhzGpoIcpMa2gdQ%3BFZb1AwIdTFZV-Q%3BFZPxAwIdgdVU-Q%3B&mra=mi&mrcr=5&mrsp=7&sz=13&via=1&dirflg=h&sll=33.790704,-111.888542&sspn=0.059063,0.110378&ie=UTF8&ll=33.712917,-111.914978&spn=0.783644,0.950317&z=10)

And here are some more photos.

(http://i.azcentral.com/commphotos/view/354503.jpg) (http://i.azcentral.com/i/sized/B/0/B/e298/j350/PHP4BABDA3E10B0B.jpg)

(http://i.azcentral.com/commphotos/view/354593.jpg)

(http://i.azcentral.com/commphotos/view/354568.jpg)

(http://i.azcentral.com/commphotos/view/354560.jpg)

(http://i.azcentral.com/commphotos/view/354556.jpg)

(http://i.azcentral.com/commphotos/view/354558.jpg)

(http://i.azcentral.com/commphotos/view/354561.jpg)

(http://i.azcentral.com/commphotos/view/354599.jpg)

(http://i.azcentral.com/commphotos/view/354606.jpg)

(http://i.azcentral.com/commphotos/view/354605.jpg)

(http://i.azcentral.com/commphotos/view/354604.jpg)

(http://i.azcentral.com/commphotos/view/354621.jpg)

(http://i.azcentral.com/commphotos/view/354597.jpg)

I thought a sobriety test was required in crashes like this?
However, you are right in that in the video he does not look terribly stable. 
That said, I am not there giving the test, so until facts come out, I'm not going to speculate as to the driver's mental state.

If the driver was paper-work distracted or "under the influence", either way he was negligent and irresponsible. If the brakes in his truck failed, then well, not much you can do there.

And any way you look at it, it's make the beast with two backsed up.
There are multiple fellow bikers dead and injured.
It makes me sad. It pisses me off.

It's also a reminder that even in groups we are not safe...
keep your eyes constantly open and check your mirrors.

^^^

You beat me to it.

Whenever a fatal accident occurs, the driver of the vehicle has to submit to sobriety testing and most likely a blood test to determine if drugs were involved.


that is at least the law here in Ohio, but may vary by state but I highly doubt it.



that is tragic. Just awful.

It's a make the beast with two backsing massacre, and it makes me sick to my stomach. Guys, please remember to leave yourself enough room in front of you to get around whatever is there in case you see something like this coming. I always try to. STARE at your mirrors when you're stopped, flash your brake lights, do as many preventative measures you can. Stopped at a light is when we are most vulnerable. This is everyone's worst nightmare. No amount of gear in the world would save your ass on this one.

RIP. I hope justice and closure is found for those surviving the dead.

And for the driver of the truck... Accidents do happen, mistakes ARE made. But that doesn't you to pay the consequences. Whether he was under the influence or not, is irrelevant in my opinion. People PAY for mistakes in the real world, whether they were drunk or not. He'll be haunted for the rest of his life by this, and he damn well deserves to be... whether from a prison cell or not.

Awful situation for all involved.

As for him not looking stable; who would after they just did that? That guy will be (should be) mentally and emotionally unstable for quite some time.

Now, there is a fact that you would think our local news would know about and mention while they're showing us a video of the driving taking a sobriety test. [roll]

Local news drives me nuts. I mean, we wouldn't have had any of these photos and videos with out them, but I just watched a video with the lady in the helicopter when it first happened and they were asking her about the possibility of fire because they saw a lot of foam. She explained that they probably just put down the foam because the helicopter was going to land and they didn't want it to be dusty. (http://www.bestdesignever.com/ducati/confused.gif)

Nevermind that there's a burnt crisp of a truck cab smoldering next to the foam, but for the dust?  [bang]

I know the white monster rider:

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=36379.msg639023#msg639023 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=36379.msg639023#msg639023)

Just came across your post.  I am friends with the s4rs owner.  He splits his riding time between Iowa and Arizona.  Luckily he escaped with a broken arm and leg.  This is a terrible accident and my thoughts and prayers go out to those who were injured and families of those who were killed.

(http://api.ning.com/files/JyVAvKfKlIvsceI-YZ*e3t5vhx9WSnDtjqjbEcxX8v1xSkZvTUZrVO4neAraxRuLmJqGnTbghVYc1oDw-ggYev8IdvrdPyjS/Desertride002.JPG?width=737&height=448)

Yep, I am from the Iowa side of things, or you could say a summer friend  ;D  He has a lot of friends here thinking about him.  If you see him or talk to him, tell him Chad says HI and to Get Well.

I imagine it was horrific just being within blocks of the accident let alone part of it.  It will affect many people for a long time.

All.  I'm from Iowa too.  This picture of T with the S4rs and K1200 were from a ride him and i did ~6weeks ago when i visited him.  I rode that bike up that mountain that day, and the K12 back down.  T is one of the nicest and coolest people you could ever wish to meet.  I got the unfortunate call from his wife this morning about the accident...  i still don't think it's sinked in yet. I've spent a good part of the day notifying some of our fellow riders in the area about what's going on while i've been trying to keep in touch with the family.

I can't even imagine how horrible this would have been to be a part of.  Obviously, thoughts and prayers out to ALL people and families involved. 

Me and another Ducati rider from Iowa are still planning on coming to AZ Apr 8-11.  we were planning on a motorcycle ride, but now we are ready to help T through his recovery and get them ready to come back to Iowa for the Summer.

T, WISH you a SPEEDY recovery!  Call as soon as you are up for it.  I'll be seeing you in less than 2 weeks.  hope you're ready to join me with a bottle of Tequilain 13 days!!!!

Kindest Regards,
AK
(http://api.ning.com/files/oj64e4wicqU0t8dn89LV9UKqyijuo8WN5lutvG727G*eJu5RxtScLlBrmTQhv-bgCMDC44iFAKQg5aqT6Zgjp7xFWIlz6K5y/IMG_1238.jpg?width=721)

Update

Well, I wanted to give the driver the benefit of the doubt, but as it turns out he was high on meth while driving. Not only was he high then, but police just pulled him over for driving while high again!

Here's the full story -- http://www.azfamily.com/news/local/Tow-truck-driver-involved-in-deadly-motorcycle-crash-arrested-90046442.html (http://www.azfamily.com/news/local/Tow-truck-driver-involved-in-deadly-motorcycle-crash-arrested-90046442.html)

make the beast with two backsing make the beast with two backs. Seriously? He was allowed to drive after killing all those people? And the asshole was high AGAIN?
I am blown away by the stupidity of people. And the word "stupidity" doesn't even come close to describing this.
Complete disregard for anyone else...insane irresponsibility...complete and utter waste of air.  

(thanks for the update, Michael)

This is where the law falls short of even the most basic of standards....


Without falling into forbidden area of discussion on here, I really feel that the driver in question is just as much of a murderer as someone who pulls the trigger of a gun on someone and should be prosecuted as such (especially given that he was on drugs).

This really makes me feel like:  [bang]

I'm sure they're going to throw the book at this guy (4 counts of manslaughter, 5 counts of aggravated assault and 7 counts of endangerment) and he'll be in jail for a very long time; however, how do we prevent this from happening again?

In the video there was an interview with one of the victim's husband, and he made a good point about CDL drivers being required to pass a drug test.

I hope they hold Blue Sky Sanitation financially liable.

I don't think there is much you can do to prevent a meth addict from getting behind the wheel of their own car. I mean, it's horribly stupid, but what law is going to stop them? None -- they're high on meth and don't care about anyone else.

However, you can prevent companies, like Blue Sky Sanitation, from giving meth addicts the keys to very large trucks.

I really hope this wasn't a Blue Sky Sanitation vehicle he was driving this latest arrest.

Because if it was, then Blue Sky Sanitation needs to be seriously taken back to remedial human decency class and taught that if one of their drivers KILLS a number of people, they shouldn't be let back to work driving any time soon.

No, I believe he was just driving around town in his own car when they pulled him over.

According to the article, the police had him under surveillance.

I just read that they set his bail at $1,000,000 because they thought he was a flight risk.

This is awful.

Getting hit from the rear feels like the one thing I can't control in my riding.

RIP

Yes it is. Stay to the left or right of the lane, keep your bike in gear and watch your mirrors.

Bill [moto]

I've had to do drag strip launches at least twice to avoid getting ran over.  The one that bothers me though is the one I missed.  I had a driver swerve around me last year and miss by inches, then run through the intersection in the wrong lane into oncoming traffic. [bang]  I was at a three way stop light (flashing red).  ALWAYS watch your rear view mirros and leave yourself an out.