Motorcyclist run over, killed in Redmond crash
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REDMOND, Wash. - A man was run over by an SUV and killed after he lost control of his motorcycle Thursday morning in Redmond, officials said, adding that speed may have been a factor in the crash.
Deputies were dispatched to the scene, in the 19600 blk of Union Hill Road, at about 9:15 a.m. after receiving a report of a serious injury accident.
The motorcyclist was found dead at the scene underneath the SUV.
A preliminary investigation found that the motorcyclist was riding west on Union Hill Road when he lost control of his motorcycle, said Sgt. Katie Larson of the King County Sheriff's Office.
The motorcyclist was ejected and landed in the roadway, where he was struck by an SUV that was also heading west.
Larson said it appears that the motorcyclist was speeding when he lost control. She said there was no way that the driver of the SUV could have avoided hitting the motorcyclist.
"It's just a very tragic accident."
The name and age of the motorcyclist were not immediately available.
There were early reports that the crash had sparked a small brush fire, but Larson said she had no information about that.
Deputies were dispatched to the scene, in the 19600 blk of Union Hill Road, at about 9:15 a.m. after receiving a report of a serious injury accident.
The motorcyclist was found dead at the scene underneath the SUV.
A preliminary investigation found that the motorcyclist was riding west on Union Hill Road when he lost control of his motorcycle, said Sgt. Katie Larson of the King County Sheriff's Office.
The motorcyclist was ejected and landed in the roadway, where he was struck by an SUV that was also heading west.
Larson said it appears that the motorcyclist was speeding when he lost control. She said there was no way that the driver of the SUV could have avoided hitting the motorcyclist.
"It's just a very tragic accident."
The name and age of the motorcyclist were not immediately available.
There were early reports that the crash had sparked a small brush fire, but Larson said she had no information about that.
That last turn, the left hander at the bottom, its pretty bad. No matter how much fun you have going up or down, that last one is much sharper then you think. After 15 years it suprised me the other day in terms of how you enter that thing and you get pulled around as it flattens out. I agree with the other poster, is it a fun road, especially going up, but not a lot of room for error.
Ok everyone.... please remember that this is someone's son, brother, etc. His parents could be reading these. This is a very good family and this death is tragic! It was an accident, nothing more, nothing less. While some of you are bashing motorcyclists or other drivers, you don't know the facts and are just speculating. He wasn't driving a crotch rocket! This kind, loving young man was on his way to work, lost control, was ejected off the bike and was lying in the road when the poor driver of that suv came upon him. (No tailgating involved) There was nothing they could do. He left behind his parents, a brother, a fiancee, aunts, uncles, cousins and numerous friends. No need to keep speculating/assuming.... just leave your condolences and prayers for all involved please. The family & other driver are torn apart right now and don't need to see such drivel about their son or the other driver from folks who don't know what they are talking about. For those of you who left your heartfelt wishes, it is appreciated greatly.
Yesterday started out to be a perfectly normal day for so many, but..... only God knows the plan. Prayers to all!
In this particular kind of situation it is not a fair thing to blame the car driver who was in his lane, driving around a pretty blind corner. Sad yes, life damaging for the car driver, yes, but not fair to say he should have been able to stop. There are many possibilities that could have occured to have the motorcyclists end up in the wrong lane going around the right hand bend and we may likely never know exactly what happend and why. I toss up a prayer to all involved and family and friends on both sides.
I'm confused, the motorcyclist was heading west and the SUV was heading west. How did the SUV run over the motorcyclists? Â Or was the SUV driver tailgating the motorcyclist?
Iâm reading about way to many fatal accidents. My hopes and prayers go out to all involved families, with a wish that everyone including myself would pack more care, concern and patience as we navigate around the Northwest.
I don't know the area however could it be possible that the accident happened around a bend and that the SUV driver couldn't stop until it was too late?
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Most of these comments suggest the SUV driver to be speeding as well. The article doesn't state that, only that the motorcyclist was apparently speeding. If the SUV had been speeding, wouldn't there be SOME kind of sign of that (tire marks, ect)?
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Seems to me the motorcycle went down and the SUV happened upon the crash, maybe around a corner or something and didn't have time to stop.
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 @Concerned I drive through there every day. There is certainly no room for error on that hill. Just curious though, how is it that you know how the accident went down? Were you there or know someone who was?
@Concerned That would explain why the SUV driver couldn't avoid the motorcycle crash.
How could the driver of the SUV not avoided the wreck? It suggests the motorcycle was speeding, implying it should have been pulling away from the SUV. This should have given more time for the SUV to avoid this wreck, unless they both were speeding.
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My only guess is that the driver of the SUV did not see the wreck and saw the guy in the road too late.
Sad. I hope the biker didn't suffer. I feel bad for the SUV driver too... That would be a terrible thing to have to deal with, even if it wasn't your fault. My condolences to both.
Look it's real simple, I hear all the "watch out for motorcycles" rheotric and believe me I do my best to give ample space etc. But rider's be aware of this I'm in a 3000lb car, I'm decidedly bigger than you, I WILL ALWAYS WIN, so do your part drive safe and sane watch out for me and I'll watch out for you.
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But if you doing 130mph and I'm doing 70 and I change lanes into you because when i looked that area was clear and now it's not, its YOUR fault not mine and you WILL go home in a body bag.
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Honestly I think too many rider's forget these simple facts. It's no different than driving a car and respecting that an 100k lb truck will always win if you 2 are to meet.
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It come's down to this, drive safe, watch out, stop doing stupid crap no matter what you're driving.
 @JFR Going 100+ anywhere but the track is just asking for trouble. Save it for track days, guys
 @JFR You will always win, eh? Win?! Are you effing kidding me?!
I've been studying for my endorsment for a motor cycle and the longer it takes me to get it, the more deaths I hear day after day!! In the last 2 to 3 months there have been about 9 accidents 6 or 7 deaths, the others severely injured.
Not sure as I said!
 @reelin21 Take the motorcycle safety foundation class. Better statistics on graduates than the run of the mill rider. Also, be very careful your first six months. A lot of accidents occur while you are getting used to riding in traffic. Wear good protective gear and, as we like to say, ride it like you stole it (don't go blasting around, in other words).
 @LockesChild  @reelin21 Ride it like you stole it implies riding it like it is not yours, and blasting around everywhere...at least that is how my riding buddies and I use it.  Wear your gear and be on the look out.  There are some of the most oblivious drivers on Washington roads.  Not to mention everyone seems to have a chip on their shoulders these days.  I had a 'lady' pull out in front of me (after she hesitated because she wasn't sure if she had time...she didn't!) and then have the gall to 'brake-check'.  Why cagers are in such a hurry to get in front of a motorcycle is beyond me, they will never accelerate faster than a bike.  I just chalk it up to road-bullying being the only power they have to wield in life, and try to make it home to my family in one piece.  And...with a simple twist of the wrist, good training, and staying alert I can avoid most situations cause by mindless, oblivious drivers.  Keep the rubber side down!
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I've been noticing all these also and it seems the majority have the rider at fault and in some cases don't even involve a second vehicle.
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I don't ever want to become such an experienced rider that I lose that little bit of fear I have now as a beginner. That's when you start taking chances and doing things you wouldn't do when you first start riding.
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Good luck with the endorsement - I take my test in two weeks
Sadly this happened just before I started my descent down Union Hill Road this morning. I ride this stretch twice everyday in my normal commute. Going down (west)Â this stretch of Union Hill can be precarious especially with the sharp corner at the bottom. It is deceptively sharp there. Seen a few cars end up French kissing the utility pole there. Going up (east).... what a ride when cars don't interfere. Favorite part of my evening commute.
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Ride safe
I love to motorcycle. But I got rid of mine (a Triumph, when a Triumph was cool) decades ago when I became aware that a car could scare me enough that I'd run off the road to avoid the collision. When traveling faster than 20 mph, going down on a bike means some kind of injury. That means unexpected recovery time - at best. The leaving the roadway tactic itself could kill me, and was surely to hurt me. In some places, a body and a motorbike may not be found quickly after an accident in the dark. Could die in the underbrush hours or days later. So many ways for it to go so badly.
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Being an excellent bike-driver might not count in such a scene, and being hurt/dead from a one-vehicle accident that resulted avoiding a two vehicle near-accident was no consolation. Further, there would be no indicator of what caused my crackup if the other driver kept going, which is to be expected. I decided the great feeling I got from motorcycling was not making up for the potential danger, expense and disruption to my life from the bad drivers we all accommodate every day. There are lots of other ways to have as much fun.
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As regards this accident, I expect these two were racing and things went wrong. We only have the surviving driver's story.
@Bob Owen Doubt they were racing. Eastbound Union Hill has a few butt wiggler twists capped off with a sharp curve at the bottom. Too much speed there is fatal to cars and motorcycles alike. I wonder if the SUV was following too close though.
Early reports of a brush fire... well, from the ariel view, it sure looks like a large area was scorched.
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My condolences to the family of all victims in this case. Â I hope the driver who hit the motorcyclist will make a full recovery from the emotional injuries that this incident surely caused. Â
No matter what the circumstances behind this are. Please remember what the family is going through at this very moment. Remind yoiurself, if this was you, how would you want others to treat you. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends at this moment. This is the hardest thing that they will ever have to deal with.
Good grief! These jackass speeders give bikers a bad name. Why the hell do some of these guys feel they're invincible? If I were a bike, I would totally feel the opposite! Slow down!
@Zoso Cool it dude, you only know part of the story, and its early at that
 @northwestsurfer I take it you know something here that we don't?
@Zoso Nope, I'm not comparing them to each other. Its simple physics, guy; if you go to fast to negotiate a curve on a motorcycle or in a car or truck, you may well lose contact with the road or leave the roadway. You dont have to be driving aggressively or wrecklessly. Everyone has driven too fast at one time or another. Pal.
 @northwestsurfer So you are seriously gonna compare driving a truck to driving a motorcycle? Not the same pal! And no need to be telling me to cool it, chief. You should take your own advice. I'm just posting my comments like everyone else. If by some slim chance that there is some "other" part of the story, then I'll worry about it then, not like we have reason to be all dependant on it.
No, and that is exactly my point. The article said speed may have been a factor; it didnt say he was riding aggressively or recklessly. I ride and drive a truck, and there have been plenty of times I was going to fast around a corner on my mc or in my truck; but wasnt driving or riding like an idiot on purpose.
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Like I said chief, cool it. You dont know any details about the story
No matter who is fault......Motorcyclists, ride within your skill level, give cagers a wide berth and be safe & know when slow down....cagers, look twice and don't assume riders have a death wish.....
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Tragic loss of a fellow rider......this is a fun road to ride, but on when being safe.
I agree with you Someguy98059. Speed aside it sounds like the typical following to close. Weather it's a semi or motorcycle the vehicle operator has to know the stopping distance of their vehicle.
A motorcycle has to stop in a straight line as possible, where as a car can brake in a curve.
 @Someguy98059 Any particular reason you choose to call those riding a motorcycle "motorcyclist" and those driving a car "cager"? Using a derogatory term to describe one side really nullify your otherwise reasonable message.
@1000 Sorry, didn't mean it as a slam......I drive a 4 wheeled car/truck more then I ride, so I'm a cager more than not. But, I got your point...cager no more....from now on, I will call them "2 ton global warming machines".... just kidding.
I know motorcycles are fun and can be used safely but I really am beginning to hate them. I've had so many friends hurt lately. Not calling to "ban" them or anything, I just don't like them.
@makeadifference Better ban food while you are at it; you can choke and die from it
 @makeadifference I know cars are fun and can be used safely but I really am beginning to hate them. I've had so many friends hurt lately. Not calling to "ban" them or anything, I just don't like them.
Well played.
For This Again.
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I do look out for motorcycles all the time.
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The problem is when I cruising along at about 70 and some crotch rocket zips into a spot that was empty a second ago, it's hard to avoid him. Some, not all (Mr. Duc), drive very fast, and as I've been told before, ride like they are invisible.
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Motorcycles are not invisible and if you drive in heavy traffic like there's no traffic at all, zipping between cars, white lining, etc, then you're opening yourself up for some serious injuries.
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Just like the guy on the Harley wearing a silver "german style" helmet this morning. The way the guy was riding on I-5 he was asking for trouble.
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Anyway, as an ex-rider, everyone be safe out there! I'm watching out for you but you (bikers) have to do your part too.
The problem is when I'm cruising along at about 70 and some kid in a Honda Prelude rocket zips into a spot that was empty a second ago, it's hard to avoid him. Some, not all (Mr. Duc), drive very fast, and as I've been told before, ride like they are complete hamsters.
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See what I did there?
Car drivers...watch for motorcyclists...they can be hard to see.
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Motorcyclists...don't execute maneuvers that car drivers aren't expecting...such as lane splitting, passing on the shoulder, excessive speed, inconsistent acceleration, excessive acceleration, and stunt driving,
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Remember, you are harder  to see, and most car drivers have never operated a motorcycle, so they just don't get it.
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Most importantly, just because your bike has the capability to do it, and you have the skills to do it, doesn't mean that you will live through it. Or, you could wind up as a vegetable, or stuck in a wheel chair the rest of your life. Not as much fun.
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Start paying attention people!
@ducati The article does not go into detail so this may well end up being the riders fault. People always want to say that car drivers need to pay attention for motorcycles. I agree with that, but motorcyclists need to drive in a safe manner too. Every day I see riders riding in a safe fashion, but I see just as many riding in a decidedly unsafe manner.
People, PLEASE look out for motorcyclist!!!
@This_again? Car drivers can do their best to watch out for riders, but the riders have to be safe as well.
@Surveyor1 Ummm yeah... don't think I said riders don't look where you go and make sure you go 100mph+ everywhere. jeeez
@This_again? Ummmm yea, youi said for drivers to look out for motorcyclists and I said that rider had to be safe as well. A driver can be as vigilant as possible when it comes to watching out for motorcyclists, but if the riders aren't being safe as well, there isn't much the driver can do about it (as seems to be the case in this situation).
 @This_again? .....because many of them are not looking after themselves.
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 @This_again?  @Steve98028 I didn't say none look out for themselves, I said many do not. Take the rider in this article who died because of his unsafe riding.
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And what's with the name calling? It's like elementary school; you can't come up with an intelligent response so you resort to calling names.