Police: Driver called for tow but not 911 after deadly crash
ANACORTES, Wash. -- State troopers say a woman who struck a motorcyclist who died from his injuries called a tow truck for her damaged vehicle but did not call 911 to get help for the motorcyclist.
Washington State Patrol Trooper Keith Leary said the crash happened about 9:45 p.m. Tuesday in the eastbound lanes of State Route 20 at Fidalgo Bay Road.
The 23-year-old motorcyclist was slowing down to avoid a collision ahead of him when he was hit from behind by another car.
The woman driving the car that hit him did not stop and sped away from the scene, Leary said. The impact from the crash knocked the motorcyclist off his bike and into the road, where he was hit by another car. Leary said the driver of that vehicle did stop.
The motorcyclist, identified as Michael J. McCurdy, was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle where he died early Wednesday.
The license plate from the car that first hit McCurdy was ripped off by the impact and was found at the crash scene, Leary said. Troopers spotted the car a short time later as it was being towed down a road in Anacortes.
Asked why she left the scene without reporting the crash, the driver told troopers that she was scared, according to Leary.
The woman, identified as 26-year-old Gisela Carmona-Moreno, was booked into the Skagit County Jail for investigation of hit-and-run and is being held on $100,000 bail.
Washington State Patrol Trooper Keith Leary said the crash happened about 9:45 p.m. Tuesday in the eastbound lanes of State Route 20 at Fidalgo Bay Road.
The 23-year-old motorcyclist was slowing down to avoid a collision ahead of him when he was hit from behind by another car.
The woman driving the car that hit him did not stop and sped away from the scene, Leary said. The impact from the crash knocked the motorcyclist off his bike and into the road, where he was hit by another car. Leary said the driver of that vehicle did stop.
The motorcyclist, identified as Michael J. McCurdy, was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle where he died early Wednesday.
The license plate from the car that first hit McCurdy was ripped off by the impact and was found at the crash scene, Leary said. Troopers spotted the car a short time later as it was being towed down a road in Anacortes.
Asked why she left the scene without reporting the crash, the driver told troopers that she was scared, according to Leary.
The woman, identified as 26-year-old Gisela Carmona-Moreno, was booked into the Skagit County Jail for investigation of hit-and-run and is being held on $100,000 bail.
Considering the sentences being handed down in traffic court these days I can understand her being scared. This was a traffic accident and descriptions indicate it was an accident, nothing more. Traffic accidents are very common in America and account for more deaths than any other cause. Motorcycles are an "added risk" in traffic. She made a "scared" decision but should not be punished severely for if she had remained at the scene, she would not have been guilty of anything more than being involved in an unavoidable accident.
A swift bullet to the back of her skull would be too humane for this beast.Â
"Anything can help even loose car change :). Michael Memorial Fund Any Washington Federal You can reference the Fund and/or Debra and Randy Mccurdy or Sara Ress. Any mailed checks can be mailed to: Washington Federal P.O. Box 639 Mount Vernon, Wa 98273 Thank you in advance for your generosity and kindness." Â This is how to donate for anyone wishing to help the family in this rough time.
I don't mean to turn this into a gender war, but this is a classic case of a woman thinking her wants and needs come first. Calling the tow truck before helping the guy, also not wanting to take responsibility of the injury she caused to that gent. Just watch her get away with it, or get a light sentence just because she is a woman.
bannoura "I don't mean to turn this into a gender war"...
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I think that you did just that with your idiotic statement.Â
Thankfully, she's also being held by the Border Patrol.
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That means she'll likely be deported, unless our careless administration decides she's okay enough to keep here. Maybe they should issue her a military-grade assault rifle while they're at it? Sound good to you, Mr Holder?
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. . .
Walter Hefty Jr,
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Your statement about Holder is very confusing since guns are not even remotely related to this incident. Are you saying that you do not like Obama's pro-gun stance?Â
 @Walter Hefty Jr What makes you think she was illegal, fatty?Â
I think that what she did to my husbands family is incomprehensible! She had no regaurd for human life. I know that justice will be served here on earth and in the hands of GOD. Michael was the light of our McCurdy lives and will be missed beyond words. The words can't decribed the pain she has inflicted on our family. Her immagration status and her " being scared" and not stopping to help him is inexcuseible. We are all sitting here and wondering why? If that was her family member would she be doing the same? Â
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So R.I.P Michael WE LOVE YOU!b<3
Lmccurdy ,
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Our deepest sympathies to you and your family in this loss. It is truly tragic. Michael seems to have been a wonderful person.
Throw the whole book at her. How can someone drive away? Witch was probably on the cell phone too. it's time to stop this behavior right in it's tracks !! May the young man R.I.P.
Hit and run, failure to render assistance....
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Yeah, throw the book at this woman.
what is it with people not taking responsibility anymore? You hit a human, you stop and take care of it...i bet this woman would stop if she hit a snail...
This comment has been deleted
 @NotPCatall Where does the story identify the driver as an illegal alien? Are you assuming she is because of her surname? That is just plain bigoted. I would say you should be ashamed of yourself but I don't think you know the meaning of the word.
 @JusUsDogs Actually, in her jail roster entry. It says she's on hold for another agency. Specifically, border patrol....which would mean deportation.
VictusEnMeusVerum,
Why don't you let the investigation play out before speculating about unmentioned variables. Cell phone? I don't recall reading that anywhere.
 @JusUsDogs  @Loveabull I would say that Mr. McCurdy would still be alive if she had actually been paying attention to the rode PRIOR to hitting him.  It is very hard to pay attention to the road and cell phone at the same time.
 @Loveabull  @JusUsDogs It may well be that she is an illegal alien based on other information. The original poster didn't refer to other sources. He seemed to make his racist remarks based on the suspect's surname.
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Moving past all this, I can't imagine any excuse for Carmona-Moreno's actions. In my mind, Michael McCurdy could still be alive if she had stopped to render aid. Unless there is more that we don't know, I'd have to agree with the condemnation against her.
 @Loveabull  @JusUsDogs I guess that was why the post was deleted. Too many facts.
what an awful woman. hopefully they'll throw the book at her and she'll do jail time. maybe that will teach how to be a human being...
 @Theonedog Time in jail to teach someone how to be a human being? Are you serious? If anything, incarceration will teach her how to be even more inhuman than she is now.
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Don't misunderstand me, I think Ms. Carmona-Moreno SHOULD spend time in the can, I'm just not naive enough to think it will humanize her.
 @Furd You are probably right. She is incorrigible. But maybe with enough punishment this sociopath will learn to fear real people's righteous anger and act like a civilized human being. Unless, of course, she will be deported after serving her prison term.
 @LockesChild What kind of "punishment" do you propose? Daily whippings? Made to eat overcooked broccoli with manure sauce? Solitary confinement for several years?
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Violence only begets more violence.
I am not sure how a story of a local man killed by a careless woman turns into a political debate and racial profiling but it is sad. Â A man died and what happened was wrong, I feel it's extremely tacky to debate about other topics which may or may not have anything to do with it. The lady is a coward whether or not she has the last name Caroma-Moreno or Smith or Jones.
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I just want everyone to know what a wonderful, beautiful, sweet, caring person Michael was. He was hands down, one of the best people I've ever met. I've known him since the 6th grade, and haven't met another person that comes anywhere close to how nice of a person he was. He would give you the shirt off his back. The world lost one of the good guys this morning. He will be missed by every single person whose life he touched. Rip Michael. I love you. I miss you. I'm sorry this had to happen to you.
@Loveabull It is amazing how many people Michael touched. It brings me some comfort see this and read the posts here and on Facebook. His bright light was put out way too soon and he will be missed so much! RIP cuz.
 @Loveabull We don't have enough good guys to lose any. My deepest condolences to all who knew and loved him.
@Loveabull I'm so sorry this happened.......death is tragic, no matter how it happens. My thoughts are with you and all his loved ones.
charge her with vehicular homicide, anything less would be a travesty of Justice.... skank...
 @Greg While I agree with you, the unfortunate thing is that vehicular homicide is a joke of a crime as far as penalties are concerned.
faith in humanity = 0
Thanks you, now move on
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Picture is wrong. It did not happen at the intersection. It happened near the Anacortes sign, west of there.
If she would have stopped he may not have been hit by the next car. Just shoot her and send the corpse home.
Are you serious? WOW, some people have no respect for human life. RIPÂ Michael.Â
drunk and only concerned for herself obviously. We need more people like this in our country
There are a few people here that refuse to believe that deportations of criminals are up 70% under Obama from the previous administration.
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These numbers have been fact checked by real media.
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Instead of attacking me and getting angry, why not just accept reality for once.Â
 @caphillkid there are enough counter elements to render that %70 a total distortion, not to mention Obama's current politically driven relaxation on the deportation rules. So your hero isn't close to being a champion of stricter deportation. You need a reality check.
deportations of convicted criminals who are in the country illegallyÂ
 @caphillkid So wouldn't anyone here illegally be a criminal or am I just confused... Yup I guess I'm just confused.
This is my biggest fear everyday commuting on motorcycle from Snohomish to downtown Seattle. I am tailgated constantly be cars that appear to be in hurries and value their schedules more than my life. Please, everybody, stop tailgating, texting, talking, eating, putting your makeup on, reading, etc. while driving a vehicle at 60 miles per hour! Also, please give motorcyclists their own space. Too often cars think that because I only take up 1/4 of the lane, they can sneak in right next to me. RIP to the fallen rider. I hate hearing about incidents like this.
 @Sara Redfield I was taught that when someone tailgates you a motorcyclist should slow down.Â
and probably die?
 @Surveyor1  @LockesChild True. I was basing that comment on another commentor's (jellyfish) assertion this woman had been jailed by the US Border Patrol and inferring that to mean she was an illegal. Given how many illegal latinos there are around Mt. Vernon, this doesn't seem like much of a leap of faith.
@LockesChild The article also doesn't state that she is an illegal. Just because someone has hispanic name, does not make them an illegal.
@newsreader - You have no idea what you are talking about "in this case" because you were not there. Quit speculating.
The rider in this case did try to slow down to avoid another accident and then was hit by a tailgater...and now is paying with their life! People in cars need to learn to pay more attention to Bikes on the road as well as the surrounding cars
 @Thyroid I didn't say brake quickly--the advice as taught by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation is "slow down". That is, unless you can somehow pull over and let the idiot pass you.
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It is more dangerous to speed up when being tailgated. The auto's required braking distance increases and the overall momentum of the 4,000 lb vehicle behind you increases as well. By slowing down one (1) encourages the car to pass you, (2) reduces the reaction time needed by the driver to respond in time to a quick stop, (3) gives the rider more room in front of them to avoid unexpected stops.
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RIP
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When you read all sorts of disgusting news as we've been having lately, I think God takes away good people first.
Charge her with vehicular manslaughter too!Â
Come to think of it I avoid at least one accident every time I ride due to inattentive drivers.
@ducati With all respect, if you find you are having to avoid an accident everytime you are driving, then I suspect logic suggests that YOU are a friggin' danger on the road. I can't remember the last time I encountered anything remotely close to "avoiding an accident" when I was driving. Whew.
 @David P  @ducatiÂ
Ducati is talking about riding, not driving. What seems to be a minor issue when driving is a life-or-death issue when riding. Some bimbo in a car rear-ending you at an intersection is a pain. For riders, it is a death sentence.
 @ducati Probably more, but as an experienced rider you likely automatically avoid situations in which inattentive drivers can get you. I found that to be the case.
I don't think in traffic you can "avoid" all situations even being expericenced. Unless you ride a bike or have someone close to you that does I find that mose people don't care or are to busy to care. They barely look over their shoulder or glance when switching lanes or even driving straight. My husband and I have almost been hit several times and we have been riding for a long time and do everything possible to be visible to those around us. Many Experienced riders have been injured and killed this past season
 @newsreader Agreed. I was just emphasizing ducati's statement on avoidance. If you aren't hit then you avoided it.
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Inattentive lane switcher got me a few years back. Fortunately I was watching the front wheel like a hawk and I manage to slow down enough to avoid getting killed (that and some great protective gear). So after avoidance fails, there is always the chance for minimization.
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It does seem that this season has been particularly bad. I wonder why.
 @ducati I second that remark and I don't even go on the freeway. I wear a bright blue reflective Joe Rocket suit and still can't get through a day without somebody jumping out in front of me because they're in a hurry or have their phone planted to their cheek. RIP Micheal
@ducati Hey I think I asked you once, what is your bike? I ride an 02 monster 750
me too. Everytime i go out and ride, I never ride alongside other vehicles, I always assume "That guy" at the intersection is going to fail to yield, or assume another driver is going to pull out or hit their brakes. I'm hyperfocused