Man Down

[ducatihotti]

Hey all,

   I just saw Rod's accident report, i am so sorry to hear about the spill, but very happy he is going to be ok after some recovery time. This weekend was also very unlucky for Ryan, as some of you may already know.

Friday and Saturday Ryan was up at the track at Summit Point getting some practice in for his first CCS race scheduled for yesterday and today. Saturday he drove my car to and from the track to his apartment. When he got home he left my car at his place and then took me on my bike to a parking lot in Bethesda where we met Zoom and Lisa who all help me get in some practice time. Afterwards we got some dinner and then Ryan and I headed our own way, me of course on the back again.

We stopped at his apartment so i could switch to my car, and Ryan went on ahead with my bike to my apartment 1 mile down the road on Wisconsin Ave. I was only a few cars behind, but while stopped at a light, in a blink of an eye I looked up and 100 feet in front of me Ryan was lying on the pavement.

A lady had been parked on the right hand side of the 4 lane street in the metered parallel spots, and was edging out of her space, theorectically like any normal person to pull into the lane closest to her and go straight. But even though Ryan had seen this and wisely moved as far over in the left hand lane as he could, all of the sudden she gases it and pulls clear across the 4 lanes trying to make an illegal u turn. Ryan has no time to stop and even though he tries, slams into her rear fender flipping him over the car and the rolling on the ground.

On impact with the car he shattered his left hip and broke his right femur. I was there for it all which was pretty traumatizing, but I am glad I was there. He could have been killed. Thankfully- much like Rods post, he was saved by wearing all his gear (minus leather pants) but leather armored jacket, gloves, helmet a*'s boots. Thank GOD! Otherwise he could be dead, or at least have sustained serious head, neck and ankle injuries.

He was rushed to GW hospital, and Zoom and Lisa came back out to drive me there as well and help Ryan and I through it. (Thank you both!!!) He had emergency surgery yesterday morning on both the leg and the hip, and while all initial results look good we are still waiting to see if everything is going to take in the long run.

He has a long painful recovery ahead of him, but hopefully he will heal 100% and be ready for next season. (I can't even tell you how bummed and frustrated he is that he didn't get to race, and that hes lost this whole season.) He also keeps apologizing about my bike (as if thats what I am worried about) but it does mean that I am at least temporarily bikeless. It faired better than expected but I am not sure if it will be salvaged or not. Just wish I had gotten to ride it a bit more!

Everybody on the scene was super nice and helpful, the witnesses, police men and the EMTs. The only exception was the awful pregnant dog who hit him, who didn't even look at him or ask if he was ok, didn't care at all and was only worried about the broken fender on her piece-of-shit 1980's BMW. She was cold and completely rude, and was totally at fault. She got a ticket....and won't be so happy when she hears from Ryans lawyer.

I am hoping within 2-3 weeks he will be ready to make an appearance on crutches at Rhodeside!!!

But everyone - its only May and we already have two of our own down. WEAR YOUR GEAR ALWAYS AND BE SAFE!!!!!!

Ryan is at GW hospital in room 454 if anyone would like to say hi, as he will be there for at least another 2-4 days minimum.

Erin

[mdubya]

Sorry to hear about this. It has been a rough weekend. We had a rider helicoptered out on a ride I did Saturday, and a 13 year old racer was killed at Summit Point today. 

Heal up Ryan. Hopefully, I will get to meet the 2 of you when I visit DC sometime.

[ducatihotti]

Oh my god, thats just terrible. I just heard about a fatality at Summit, but I had no idea the rider was 13. That is so unfortunate.

Thanks for the wishes for Ryan, I will pass them along.

[ducati culture]

I give thanks he is still alive.  MAn it was a weekend    dc

[Stillie]

Sorry to hear about this. It has been a rough weekend. We had a rider helicoptered out on a ride I did Saturday, and a 13 year old racer was killed at Summit Point today. 

Heal up Ryan. Hopefully, I will get to meet the 2 of you when I visit DC sometime.

http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=32537

The rider who was killed was ejected from his 125 during Race 4 and subsequently cartwheeled down the racetrack. The cornerworkers were in the process of calling in an incident in Turn 4 when this crash happened so only the standing yellow was displayed. Two other riders running nose to tail crested the hill in Turn 3. The lead rider spotted the unconscious rider laying in the middle of the track and quickly dove to the left. The following rider was suddenly left with a body to his front and nowhere else to go. He hit Alex and was ejected from his bike as well.

I accompanied the second rider in the ambulance as he was taken back to the scene so he could give his statement. Whenever a death occurs they call the State Police who do an accident investigation. Please keep the second rider in your thoughts as he is not taking this well. He's one of the best people I know and someone I'm proud to call a friend.

RIP Alex.

Erin I've got all of Ryan's stuff including bike, stands, and warmers. It can stay here as long as necessary. I'll try to go visit him tomorrow at lunch.

-Stillie

[Ducatista]

Erin and Ryan, I'm so sorry about all of this.  It's such a horrible thing to have happen.  Ryan, I wish you a speedy recovery so you can get out there and race a successful season, even if it is next year.  Don't rush things.  Be patient.  I know it's going to be hard, but it will help you in the long run.  I wish I could go visit, but I'm in Austin with my family this week.  We have your bike and stuff from Summit and will hang onto it as long as you need.  Just let us know if you need anything from it or if there's anything else we can do to lend a hand. 

[Chileno123]

I'm so sorry for the incident.    I wish you a speedy and healthy recovery Ryan.  I am also very sorry to hear about the rider who passed away this weekend. 

Please, let's all be as safe as possible.

-Carlo

[Geaux]

Okay, was that bish drunk or what?

Here's to a speedy recovery!  I'm glad he wore his gear even to go around the corner, which some might assume to be safe territory.

[RB]

Ryan,
Hope you make a speedy recovery!

RB

[dolci]

Erin,

You know I'm thinking about you both.  You have all my contact information; If there is anything else that I can do let me know.

[Duc and Cover]

What a dousy of a weekend! I just heard the GW Parkway was closed this morning because of another motorcycle fatality.

Have a speedy recovery, Josh. Maybe we can trade drugs sometime

[tocino]

Heal well Ryan - I hear Rhodeside has healing beers!

[mcgalinmd]

http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=72081&catid=158

link to the wreck on the GW.  Couldn't find the body?  Oh my.... 

[dolci]

http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=72081&catid=158

link to the wreck on the GW.  Couldn't find the body?  Oh my.... 

They found the rider this morning.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/27/AR2008052700714.html?hpid=topnews

[ducpenguin]

My prayers and thoughts are with you all...
Ryan, I hope your new hardware takes and a smooth healing process takes place!  It was good to hear that Erin was there and able to give support!
Stillie, I will also keep your friend in my thoughts...it has to be hard and hopefully, he is not putting all of the blame on himself...
Be safe all!

God be with Alex and his family