Widow of motorcyclist: 'Somebody did this to my husband'
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RENTON, Wash. -- The wife of a man who died in a motorcycle crash along Interstate 90 near Cle Elum says his death was no accident.
Investigators don't know if Randy Haynes was hit or run off the road, but they do know a silver van is their only clue.
It was on the side of I-90 on a windy September day that Shaila Haynes held her husband's hand one final time.
"I was able to hold his hand and be right next to him," she said.
The two had been married for 24 years.
"I wish he would have said something, anything," she said.
But Randy said nothing. He fell in and out of consciousness as he was airlifted to the hospital. There, he took his final breath.
"He was taken away way too soon," said Shaila.
Randy's Harley lay in a ditch, almost unrecognizable.
"There was no indication he was hit," said Shaila.
The Washington State Patrol says witnesses saw a silver minivan make a sudden lane change. The van may have forced Randy, an experienced motorcyclist, off the road. Randy was thrown off his bike.
"This was not a rider error. Somebody did this to my husband, and (we) need to find out who," said Shaila.
Shaila and Randy spent countless weekends on the open road. In fact, on any other day, she would have been on the back of that bike by her husband's side.
"I can't believe he's gone," she said.
A month has passed since the crash, and investigators have come up empty-handed. They are calling the incident a hit-and0run fatality until they can gather more information.
In the meantime, Shaila has a message for anyone who may know more about the crash: "Hope your conscience will guide you in the right direction."
Investigators don't know if Randy Haynes was hit or run off the road, but they do know a silver van is their only clue.
It was on the side of I-90 on a windy September day that Shaila Haynes held her husband's hand one final time.
"I was able to hold his hand and be right next to him," she said.
The two had been married for 24 years.
"I wish he would have said something, anything," she said.
But Randy said nothing. He fell in and out of consciousness as he was airlifted to the hospital. There, he took his final breath.
"He was taken away way too soon," said Shaila.
Randy's Harley lay in a ditch, almost unrecognizable.
"There was no indication he was hit," said Shaila.
The Washington State Patrol says witnesses saw a silver minivan make a sudden lane change. The van may have forced Randy, an experienced motorcyclist, off the road. Randy was thrown off his bike.
"This was not a rider error. Somebody did this to my husband, and (we) need to find out who," said Shaila.
Shaila and Randy spent countless weekends on the open road. In fact, on any other day, she would have been on the back of that bike by her husband's side.
"I can't believe he's gone," she said.
A month has passed since the crash, and investigators have come up empty-handed. They are calling the incident a hit-and0run fatality until they can gather more information.
In the meantime, Shaila has a message for anyone who may know more about the crash: "Hope your conscience will guide you in the right direction."
I am not sure how this "HELLO" post ended here as these were comments I made after a print article. This was ABSOLUTELY INTENTIONAL. AGAIN...the van was tailgating me first. The van came over INTENTIONALLY not once but TWICE. We were riding safe. I hope this never happens again to anyone. VAN DRIVERS...PLEASE come forward.
This is so incredibly sad. I think people need to drive defensively any time they are on the roads, it could save a lot of lives. To many people out there in a big hurry or distracted.....neither a good combination behind the wheel of a vehicle. Real sorry for the family and friends of this man. Hope they get the answers they need so badly.
 This will be the seventh rider I have memorialized this year. I can only imagine the heartache Shaila is going through, but I hope she knows there are a lot of people out here who care.Â
http://www.fallenridersworldwidememorial.com
First to Randy's family, I'm so sorry for your loss. We all need to share the road and for bikers you have to be extra careful out there.
If I'm understanding "hello" correctly then the driver of the van knew what he was doing. (my right to have an opinion so don't judge me).
On my way to work today I saw a harley riding in between side of cars and I just pray nothing happen.
For " alildifferent", you have 3 kids in the car with you, the mature thing to do is move over and let the person pass - not that big of a deal. So what if the biker is doing 70mph, if he want to take his own life let him and hope and pray that he doesn't take anyone else's life and let the police deal with him. If you really want to be an "ass" take his license down and report his "ass". Too many people think their big and bad..so tought like "you" because you needed to stand your ground. Have you ever heard of roadrage and people getting kill. You put these kids life in danger by trying to stand your ground. BE SMART AND YOU'LL LIVE LONGER. This is just a suggestion to you and not to fight with you.
I dont know how many times when I have been out riding, some idiot in the lane next to me doesnt bother to look and just makes lane changes like this. I never ride directly alongside any vehicles now, or in the blind spot; either in front, or behind. Sad to hear about this, someone out there is living with this guilt, there is no way they could have not known.
My thoughts and prayers are with Randy's family and friends. I'm so sorry.
Hope he's riding in the sky!
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Sounds very intentional, hope they find him before he attacks another cyclist.Â
@hello This wasnt intentional. Any experienced motorcyclist has encountered a situation like this, and luckily been able to avoid a crash or move out of the way. Motorists do this all the time; change lanes without looking and it is extremely frustrating for riders. What happened here was careless driving on the van driver's part, and they need to come forward and turn themselves in
Thank you, Daily Record, for running this article. Thank you to Detective Robert Schroeder, the witnesses who helped us, the EMT's, and the WA State Troopers (one who said he rides) on the scene. I was one of the riders. The initial media sources simply stated motorcycle left the road 'for some reason'. Well the reason was that Randy Haynes was hit or forced off the road. The person driving the van was an older man with grey/white hair and had a passenger with him. We were in the passing lane with vehicles in front of us so we could go no faster. He was tailgating me, the 3rd of the 3 bikes, then passed us on the right. I thought, 'he must see he's boxed in behind the truck...what is he thinking?' I could not believe it when he pushed over into Randy's lane very intentionally. With 3 motorcycles, there is no way the driver did not see him. Randy is a very experienced rider and got out of the way just in time. The van passed the truck, moved to the right then it came over to Randy's lane AGAIN! This time Randy could not get out of the way. I believe the van may have even intentionally hit their brakes causing Randy to leave the road. I also believe a small, white Euro type van, who was in front of Randy prior to the accident, was possibly traveling with the silver van as they both stopped then seemingly left the scene at the same time. This could be the reason the silver van was so intent on getting behind it. THANK YOU.
Log In to report. Li
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@hello I hope with the information you were able to provide they find the SOB that did this to him. RIP Randy and my condolences to his family.
Careful of blind spots and drivers just don't see riders and make careless decisions. Â This is horrible RIP
God Bless the family and I hope the person that took his life has enough integrity to turn themselves in. I can't imagine never knowing who killed my loved one
Randy was my brother-in-law and I never knew him or my sister Shaila to be anything but careful, cautious and conscientious Harley owners/riders. That is why I find it so heartbreakingly ironic that his life was taken while in the service of 'shepherding' two less experienced riders who, as I understand it, were concerned about riding in a notoriously high-wind area. From every account, an impatient driver's careless and thoughtless actions brought about Randy's untimely and undeserved demise.
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May God have mercy on that person.
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Also, anyone with information about or witnessed what happened at 4:17pm near westbound Mile Marker 88.5 on I-90 on Monday 09/10 PLEASE contact the Washington State Patrol.
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Thank you and God Bless Everyone who posted positive, uplifting and/or sympathetic comments.
 @Rick Berend We had made it past the fires, the winds & were on the home stretch...Randy is my HERO!!!
Shortly after I bought a 79 wing the wife & I were riding I-5 south of Chehalis and a motorhome was coming on the freeway. I was in the inside lane and it just moved over into my lane where I was. Fortunately I saw it in time and the inside shoulder was wide enough for me. I honked my horn but it was way to weak for them to hear it. The next week I installed an air horn on the bike and used it several times after that to keep drivers from moving into my lane. Probably wouldn't have mattered in this case, but it's something to consider for other bikers. I'm really sorry for this family's loss.
 @jcman:Â
I have had the same scenario as you describe happen to me - merging cars, or cars suddenly changing lanes, acting like they are the only vehicles on the road - they go where they want, regardless of whether or not somebody else might already be there.Â
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Happened again this week on Tuesday when I was in downtown Seattle - idiot decided to change lanes - almost hit my front bumper. I honked, hit the brakes, and nearly go rearended (it was that or the idiot in the yellow car would have taken out my left front quarterpanel).
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More & more, it seems people have an "I own the road" attitude, and just don't seem to give a rat's patootey about anyb ody else out there who may also be using it.
 @LocalLady  @jcman: Seems to me many of them are driving distracted, talking on cell phone, bluetooth or not, texting or just talking to someone else in the car. I also wonder how many of them are using some drug that impairs their judgement, prescription or not.Â
Just horrible, I'm so sorry for your loss and hope that they find the other driver involved very soon.
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I don't ride myself, but have personally seen several incidents of car drivers deliberately trying to hurt a motorcyclist. Just last week a rider had 2 close calls on the 518, 1 was unintentional the other intentional as the driver almost nailed me in my car full of kids too. I was so happy to see that the biker was very defensive and got out of that batch of traffic. There are crazy people out there and too many of them on the road.
Skcusomok,
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Your nothing but a punk trying to act like a big shot hiding behind you @#% stained keyboard.
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There's something most humans have called a conscience, I won't go into details with you what the definition is, your likely lacking one.
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As for the "Downs Syndrome", It's not plural! When you take a pot shot at the developmentally disabled, have better grammar than a 7 year old, studly.
 @Spoodle STOP!!! 2 wrongs never make a right. PEACE.
Unfortunate death. The truth however, is that no one knows what happened except for the victim. And he may not have known himself if he had a cardiac or TIA event etc. To say that he was the victim of a purposeful act, with absolutely no evidence to support that, is plainly irresponsible; Further, it is unnecessarily alarming to the public to lead them to believe some monster is driving around in a van killing bikers.
 @bagsofdirt There are 2 WITNESSES to this MURDER. I am one of them. STOP!
 @bagsofdirt I was the witness. It was intentional. Peace.
@bagsofdirt cause of death was trauma no TIA or heart attack
@Alicia Gehrke .....still doesn't make it murder.
 @bagsofdirt  @Alicia If a person is aware that their action (changing lanes in this case) ran a motorcycle off the road and the driver is injured, leaving the scene does make it look bad. If the person had stayed to explain and apologize it would look a lot different.
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers!!! Sorry for you loss... Hugs!
RIP ! God bless you all !
I ride several thousand miles a year on a motorcycle and to be honest don't see many, if any, drivers that are "out to get me". Â I think the problem is that they simply are not aware the bike is there. Â When I ride I always ride defensively. Â Sounds like he got cut off by the van and suffered a high speed dump. Â The van driver may not have even known it. Â I hate reading about it and am sorry for the loss of a brother biker. Â
 @teahater I am 53 & have many miles on 2 & 4 wheels. I watched my hero methodically killed. So you know...and to all of you reading these posts...this horrific traffic fatality unfolded over many minutes. For a reason we may never know, this van was a mission to PASS, obviously boxed in they crossed over INTENTIONALLY then did it again because Randy flipped them the bird. Call me if you need to know more. 425-269-1643
I am so very sorry for your loss.
Now I know this doesn't reflect on all motorcycle riders but last Saturday on I-405 North near Bellevue I was doing about 64 or 65 mph in the HOV lane transporting my son to soccer. A man on his bike came speeding ride up on my tail as if it was the "fast" lane. The HOV lane is not the fast lane folks. He rode my tail as long as he could and as he passed me he looked at me like I was crazy and gave me a big smile - a big "f-you" smile as if I had done something wrong. He sped up and was weaving in and out of traffic doing at least 70 mph. He was nuts and wonder if these jerks do it on purpose cause they think they are cool and invincible.
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@Scott What speed you are going has NOTHING to do with the HOV lane -- that lane is for multiple occupant travel. It's not the "fast lane" & you are not required to move out of it just because someone else thinks they need to drive faster. People like you who think the HOV lane is their personal speed lane really suck too.
@Scott First of all, I have the right to be in the HOV lane - I had 3 passengers in my car. After that I stopped reading your rant. I was following traffic at roughly 64 mph and then up comes dill weed riding my tail. If I sped up it'd cause me to put the driver ahead of me in danger if he slammed on his breaks. I am a responsible driver. The jerk tailing me wasn't just tailing me, he was weaving in and out of traffic, riding their tail. THE HOV LANE IS NOT THE F.ING FAST LANE-
 @alildifferent I hate to say it...but legally you are correct. You are still an ass for impeding traffic, but you won't get a ticket....which sucks.Â
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"The law for left lane travel (RCW 46.61.100 â Keep right except for passing) states it is a traffic infraction to drive continuously in the left lane of a multilane roadway when it impedes the flow of other traffic. The left lane does not including high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. The fine for failure to keep right except for passing is $124"
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Source:Â http://www.wsp.wa.gov/information/releases/2012_archive/mr051612b.htm
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@Someguy98059 So I am, in your words an 'ass'because I was going with the flow in front of me? That makes no sense! Was I too move out of the HOV lane just so jerk motorcyclist could then ride the guy's tail in front of me? Why would I get a ticket if I'm in the HOV lane with 3 passengers going with the flow of traffic which is what I try and do. The jerk tailing me and other people is the real 'ass', riding people's butts to intimidate them to make them go faster. Had I went faster I would have potentially set myself to crash into the civic in front of me had that driver needed to break.
@alildifferent
No, you are a ass because of your smugness and feeling that you have every right to be in the HOV lance....which, I pointed out, you legally do. Legal doesn't always mean you are in the right. Also, your line of "He was nuts and wonder if these jerks do it on purpose cause they think they are cool and invincible." just is a plain dick thing to say....and, in a car, to slow down, you would use your brake.....not break. Unless of course you are the teen dancing sensation Bugaloo 2 on you are on the set of "Breakdancing: Fight the Good Fight".
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And, for the record, when I am on my bike and I see a passive-aggressive ass like yourself in a minivan, smug and feeling all entitled as you actually have control of your own action for the 1st time in god knows how long, I just feel pity for your henpecked and wasted life
I think the fact that you couldn't go faster in a safe way without running into the car in front of you is lost in your comment. The comments are discussing a completely different issue as far as I can tell.
 @alildifferent This story about your incident on the way to soccer practice is incredibly relevant and informative.Â
@alildifferent ....70mph? I rarely run into anyone doing less than that around here. Conversely, if you were doing 64+, you were breaking the law too. Are you complaining because he was breaking the law MORE than you?
@bagsofdirt LOL - going with the flow of traffic would require state patrol to pull over all of the cars. I go with the flow of traffic which is usually between 63-65 mph in HOV lane. The guy doing at least 70 mph weaving in and out of traffic and riding everybody's tail was being irresponsible and should have been pulled over.
Sorry for your loss. Hopefully, someone will turn in a tip that will led to the van who caused this tragedy. Riding is challenging enough without aggressive drivers taking out their frustrations on motorcycle riders.
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why don't you get a clue. She just lost her husband, show some compassion.
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 @Someguy98059 @Cee Cee Since they've been deleted, I don't need to read whatever he said since I already know he is one. He sure wasted no time proving that to me earlier.
My wife and I ride Harleys and I will say there are quite a few people who drive angry at motorcycle riders. It can be very scary when riding when you encounter these types. There are also many more who are careless around riders, causing a dangerous situation, and with a flippant attitude.Being vulnerable is the biggest risk when you ride. It only takes a split second of misjudgement, or carelessness to cause death.It is a dangerous sport even if everyone is sane, and sober. I am so sorry for your loss.
 @kingkurtis Some bikers weave in and out of traffic, pass on the shoulder, and/or take up both lanes rather than moving and allowing motorists to move. "Flippant" drivers come in all forms be it on two wheels, four wheels or more. People need to learn to share the road and not use it like their own personal race track.Â
This was my brother in-law and we need your help with finding answers to this terrible loss of life. Detectives are looking for anyone who witnessed the collision, or who may have seen any of the events prior to and leading up to the collision, or who has any information regarding the case. Contact Detective Robert Schroeder at 925-2698 or email Robert.Schroeder@wsp.wa.gov
 @Alicia Gehrke Alicia, I am so sorry for the loss of your brother-in-law. I will keep my ears to the ground and if I hear anything, I will contact the detective on the case.Â
@Alicia Gehrke Story doesn't say anything about a collision.
SEE http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/news/inbrief/state-patrol-seeks-crash-witnesses/article_f39fc342-fee3-11e1-8627-0019bb2963f4.html for additional information
@Klondiko SEE http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/news/inbrief/state-patrol-seeks-crash-witnesses/article_f39fc342-fee3-11e1-8627-0019bb2963f4.html
@Alicia Gehrke:The article you linked says he was riding with others - what about the other riders, did they see anything?
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I think passing on the right is not something people should do - those they are passing may not expect it (since for most people, they pass on the left) and be unprepared for it - both the passer and the passee - not leaving enough "clearance" room to safely manuever back into traffic flow.
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I hope they find the minivan in quesstion.
 @Alicia Gehrke Good link, and a very good description by an eye witness (KLK) to the deed. I'd like to know more about the "Euro type van" that KLK says was possibly traveling with the van that hit Mr. Haynes. That may be the key to unlocking this case.
@Alicia Gehrke go cuz...