Motorcyclist critically injured in collision near S. Lake Union
SEATTLE - A motorcyclist is in critical condition after a collision with two cars Saturday night near South Lake Union, police said. Three occupants of one car sustained minor injuries.
Officers and medics were called to the scene, at the intersection of Dexter Avenue North and Aloha Street, just after 8 p.m., said Renee Witt of the Seattle police.
Arriving at the scene, they found that the motorcyclist had been thrown several feet in the collision. He was rushed to Harborview Medical Center with critical injuries.
A preliminary investigation found that the 33-year-old motorcyclist was heading north on Dexter Avenue at Aloha Street. At the same time, a Mazda MX6 was heading south on Dexter Avenue.
The Mazda and motorcycle collided at the intersection, throwing the motorcyclist several feet through the air before he landed on the pavement.
The now-riderless motorcycle kept going and slammed into a Honda Civic that was heading south. The impact stopped the motorcycle.
Three women in the Mazda were taken to Harborview Medical Center with minor injuries.
All three drivers involved in the crash were evaluated for signs of impairment, and it is not believed that alcohol or drugs played a role in the collision, Witt said.
Officers and medics were called to the scene, at the intersection of Dexter Avenue North and Aloha Street, just after 8 p.m., said Renee Witt of the Seattle police.
Arriving at the scene, they found that the motorcyclist had been thrown several feet in the collision. He was rushed to Harborview Medical Center with critical injuries.
A preliminary investigation found that the 33-year-old motorcyclist was heading north on Dexter Avenue at Aloha Street. At the same time, a Mazda MX6 was heading south on Dexter Avenue.
The Mazda and motorcycle collided at the intersection, throwing the motorcyclist several feet through the air before he landed on the pavement.
The now-riderless motorcycle kept going and slammed into a Honda Civic that was heading south. The impact stopped the motorcycle.
Three women in the Mazda were taken to Harborview Medical Center with minor injuries.
All three drivers involved in the crash were evaluated for signs of impairment, and it is not believed that alcohol or drugs played a role in the collision, Witt said.
The ICU nurses at Harbor View say there are more injuries from motorcycle accidents in the summer than car accidents and if you figure the ratio of cars to bikes.....
I'm a biker. Based on info from the police scanner at the time of the accident, he got exactly what he deserved. My sympathies to his victims.
 @ChristopherC The car turned into his lane when he had the right of way and a green light and he deserved to be killed over it? You're a freak.
 @ChristopherC Yup cause you say you're a biker obviously makes you an expert. An innocent man got injured due to 3 careless women in their Mazda. And NO ONE ever deserves to get injured... but whatever man, more bad karma to you I guess....
@ChristopherC Speeding?
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 @ulquiorra ??? What's this? Every group has their own vocabulary. The rider is probably a cager at other times. I used to own a sailboat. Those with power boats where stink potters. Ever hear of a "hot dogger?" What's that?
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HonkeyCat, the rider isn't riding defensively if he is weaving in and out of traffic. I'd put his survival down more to good fortune than skill.
Agreed. It was right in front of me. If the rider went down he would have felt the tread from my new tires.
 @ulquiorra Obviously you have never ridden in traffic.
Nasty scene.
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I saw a close one on I-5 yesterday. Traffic was relatively heavy and a motorcyclist was in a hurry doing the often seen weaving in and out of traffic without any signals.
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Suddenly, he moves into the left lane at the same time a car in the other left lane moves right (without signaling of course) and they just about nailed each other. That would have been a mess. Luckily the motorcyclist was riding somewhat defensively, punched it and went around both vehicles. Cager probably never saw the bike because of the way he was riding.
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Be careful out there. Hope this guy recovers.
As far as he flew, he must have been moving pretty good. As fast as they accelerate, would have been tough for the car to assume her turn would not have stayed clear. She was already into the turn. Yes she maust yeild assuming there wasn't an arrow for her but you can't ignore how far he flew. On a downtown street no less, doing that kind of speed through an intersection.... crazy
 @NWlife Have you been in a motorcycle accident?  I have, going 30mph.  My bike traveled about a 100 feet, my body traveled about half that.  I was going in a straight line at the time. Â
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At a speed limit of 35 to 40 the rider could easily travel quite a ways, especially considering the bike was stopped instantly, the rider would be launched like a projectile out of a sling.
@Landshark Yes I have, street and dirt bikes. His bike hit two vehicles. I'm going to say he never touched the brakes. If he did, then he was going even faster. Mind you, this is downtown, not hwy 99. I trust no one driving through those streets when I ride. Drivers are watching pedestrians, other cars, crosswalk signs and traffic lights. If I was doing 20 or 25 mph I wouldn't have been launched as far as he did.
 @NWlife  @Landshark How far was he launched?  The only thing the article says is, " they found that the motorcyclist had been thrown several feet in the collision."
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I know for a fact you can be launched quite a ways even going slower speeds (my accident going 30 mph). Â
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If they said exactly how far he traveled we could estimate his rate of speed a little better. Â It's dry out, so more friction, but it was also much colder out at night, helping increase the slide/skid factor. Â Also, what,if anything, did his body hit after he was launched off the bike? Â
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I know when I had my accident, my bike went way farther than I did while sliding on it's side (or traveled much farther had it stayed upright), it could have easily struck several cars, had there been any cars to hit.  My body landed on a curb and I rolled several times and slid a while, and that was only at 30mph. Â
 @NWlife  @Landshark " I trust no one driving through those streets when I ride. "
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Now, that is the point. There are times and places to let it go. Going through a large city after dark on a weekend doesn't seem like it.
The pictures would indicate the mazda failed to yield and made a left turn in front of the motorcycle.
@Landshark Shared liability once they figure out his speed.
Well, either the Mazda or the motorcycle was in the wrong lane, no?
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Please, to my KOMO motorcycle friends, ditch the skull-cap helmet and camouflage t-shirt and go ATGATT. And ride like the cagers are out to off you. I'll sleep better.
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http://www.atgatt.org/
 @Sid Vishess I've been putting off leather riding pants for along time...using under-jean amour and such.....I think it is time to go shopping...thanks!
 @Someguy98059  Get some Kevlar jeans. They're under a hundred bucks, look like regular jeans and you can wear them without looking like a bikerdude. I have a pair of Sliders, and wear Bohn armor under them. Keep the shiny side up!
 @DrugFighter Thanks...I've been looking at the Bohn system..really like them allot.....is there a good source for the gear? I prefer local but if not, the web is fine...thanks!