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• Motorcycle Accidents
• Car Accidents
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• Wrongful Death
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News

Motorcycle Accidents

• Teen Racer Killed In Motorcycle Wreck
  Aug 30, 2010

     A 13-year-old motorcycle racer was killed Sunday afternoon after being run over by a 12-year-old at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
  
     During the warm-up lap for Sunday's first youth circuit race in Indianapolis, Peter Lenz of Vancouver, Washington fell off his bike and was run over by Xavier Zayat of Flushing, N.Y., who was not injured. Paramedics performed CPR at the scene, then transported Lenz to the hospital, where he died several hours later. 
  
     The youth circuit allows teens to drive vehicles that can go in excess of 120 mph. The 81-lb., 4' 11" Lenz died of blunt force trauma, the Marion County Coroner's Office said. He is the youngest driver ever killed at the 101-year-old Motor Speedway. It is the first death there since IndyCar driver Tony Renna was killed in October 2003 during testing.
  
     Lenz was known on the circuit as one of America's youngest rising stars. He earned his "expert" license from the American Federation of Motorcyclists (AFM) at age 11, and was the youngest driver to ever win an AFM race in March 2009. While competing in the U.S. Grand Prix Racers Union series, Lenz had four wins, five podium finishes and led the MD250H Classification in points.
  
     The baby-faced Lenz, however, described his profession as "kid."
  
     His father was at the track Sunday watching his boy drive bike No. 45 when the collision occurred. Lenz's Facebook page later carried a message signed "Dad" that read, "He passed away doing what he loved and had his go fast face on as he pulled onto the track. The world lost one of it's brightest lights today. God bless Peter and the other rider involved. 45 is on another rode we can only hope to reach. Miss you kiddo."
  
     "We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss," the Lenz family said in a statement, "but know that Peter is racing even faster in the sky. Our thoughts and prayers are now with the other racer and his family, who were also involved in this tragedy."
  
     Racing conditions weren't ideal at the Speedway this weekend. The bumpy, 2.621-mile course became slick due to hot, dry weather. Even reigning world champion Valentino Rossi fell four times. The Moto2 race Sunday was shortened after four drivers were taken out in a big wreck on the first lap.
  
     After a short delay to clear the track after Lenz's accident, the race was restarted. One official said that had they known the extent of Lenz's injuries, they would have considered canceling the race. Three other races all started on time.
  
     In the past, Lenz had sustained other serious injuries on the track. He suffered four broken bones and a severed radial nerve last season due to a mechanical failure. The USGPRU, a development circuit for motorcycle racers ages 12 to 18, holds races nationwide, with the hope these young racers will one day compete in a world class series.
  
     A debate about how young is too young for drivers will likely be sparked by Lenz's fatal accident. "This is an ugly, terrible part of this sport, " said USGPRU chief steward Stewart Aitken-Cade. "You do what you can to stop it from happening as best you can. That's really all that you can do."
  
     An autopsy is planned for today.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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• Department of Transportation at fault for motorcycle crash
  Jul 21, 2010

  
  The State of Washington Department of Transportation has agreed to pay an injured man $2 million in damages. John Lancaster, 22, of Olympia, was severely hurt in a 2006 motorcycle crash that he alledges was due to a poorly designed intersection. He also claimed that DOT knew about the dangerous intersection, but failed to take appropriate action to fix it.
  
  Lancaster was attempting to head north on U.S. 101 outside of Shelton, WA on April 25, 2006, when a driver attempting to turn left onto U.S. 101 from Lynch Road cut him off. Lancaster's motorcycle then smashed into the side of the vehicle.
  
  A 2001 DOT study showed recommendations for closing the left turn lane onto U.S. 101 from Lynch Road. There have been 55 collisions at that same intersection since 1996, including two fatalities. However, no changes were made.
  
  Lancaster flatlined for three minutes following the crash. He was left in a coma and on life support for three weeks and was unable to walk for two months. Today, he still cannot use his right arm and has limited use of his left hand. In 2006 alone, he claims his medical bills were more than $600,000.
  
  Lancaster's attorney claims the cost to fix the intersection and get rid of the left turn lane would be minimal to the State of Washington; about $50,000.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

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• Businessman dies in motorcycle crash
  Jul 12, 2010

  A Florence businessman was killed when he lost control of his motorcycle during a motorcycle training course.
  
  James Lawrence Smith, 55, was the director of Smith Funeral Home in Florence and the director for the United Negro College Fund's annual fundraising gala. He died when he lost control of his bike and was then thrown from it. He had been taking a motorcycle safety course at Florence-Darlington Technical College when the accident occurred. Smith was riding a motorcycle that belonged to the colllege and had a helmet on at the time of the crash.
  
  Highway Patrol is currently determining who will handle the investigation. The accident occurred on private property, which is not normally under their jurisdiction.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

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• Motorcycle crash kills Conway man
  Jul 08, 2010

  
  A Conway man was killed Wednesday night while riding his motorcycle on S.C. 90.
  
  Alsondar Frazier, 41, was travelling north on his Kawaski sport motorcycle on S.C. 90 when he ran off the road and struck a drain culvert. Frazier was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
  
  The wreck occurred in the Longs section of Horry County between Long Bay Road and Water Tower Road at approximately 10:11 pm on July 7.
  
  South Carolina Highway Patrol is still investigating the cause of the accident.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

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• Myrtle Beach woman denied lesser charge in fatal crash
  Jun 10, 2010

  
  Donna Sheedy, 61, was convicted of felony driving under the influence in the death of a motorcyclist last year. She was sentenced to 18 years in prison. Her request for a reduction in sentence on account of her age has been denied by an Horry County judge.
  
  Sheedy was driving under the influence on May 15, 2009 when she struck and killed Kenneth Temple, 47, of Centereach, NY. Temple was visiting the Myrtle Beach area for the Harley-Davidson Bike Week.
  
  Sheedy was driving in the eastbound lane of 544 and crossed the center line into westbound traffic, striking Temple, his nephew who was also on a motorcycle and a pick-up truck.
  
  Sheedy's BAC was 0.27 at the time of the accident. The legal limit is .08. She also had a prior conviction for DUI in 2007.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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• SC Supreme Court repeals Myrtle Beach helmet law
  Jun 08, 2010

  
  The South Carolina Supreme Court has ruled that the helmet law enacted by the city of Myrtle Beach in 2008 is invalid because it is superseded by state law.
  
  All ordinances made in 2008 meant to discourage bike rallies, numbers 2008-61-67, were repealed by administrative court hearing. Except 61 and 67 regarding the parking of trailers in streets and partying in parking lots, which were made into misdemeanors and allowed to stand.
  
  The helmet law repeal takes effect immediately. All pending tickets are now dismissed and all prior records of helmet law violations are expunged. Fines paid are to be returned to the citizens who paid them.
  
  The law generated multiple law suits claiming the ordinance was invalid because it would supersede state law. The state law states that individuals younger than 21 must wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle, but dictates no such requirement for individuals older than 21.
  
  The goal was to push rallies outside the city limits. Attendance in May motorcycle rallies have been low since the ordinances were passed. Mayor John Rhodes of Myrtle Beach remains confident that despite the court's ruling, the city's message regarding bike rallies will remain clear.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

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• Woman injured in motorcycle accident
  Jun 01, 2010

  
  A woman was airlifted to New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC following a single motorcycle crash early Saturday afternoon on S.C. 9 near Loris, SC.
  
  The woman lost control of her motorcycle when she was trying to stop and make a turn. She then skidded on her side down the road. She had been riding with a group of motorcycles when the accident occurred.
  
  South Carolina Highway Patrol, who responded at the scene, says they believe her injuries were not life-threatening and that she was alert at the scene while being treated by the medical crew.
  
  This motorcycle accident was the fifth that Highway Patrol had responded to since the beginning of Altantic Beach Memorial Day Bikefest, which was kicked off in the Grand Strand that Friday.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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• 1 killed in Pee Dee motorcycle wreck
  Jun 01, 2010

  
  A man was left dead following a motorcycle crash in Florence County Sunday night.
  
  The single motorcycle accident occurred around 6:45 Sunday night along First Neck Road. The victim has been identified as Joe R. Venters, 56, of Gresham, SC. Venters lost control of his motorcycle and ran off the side of the road.
  
  Venters was the only occupant of the motorcycle and the only individual to be involved in the wreck. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.
  
  South Carolina Highway Patrol is still investigating the cause of the accident.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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• Injured motorcyclist missing from accident scene
  May 26, 2010

  
  The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating a crash that occurred late Tuesday evening and left a motorcyclist injured.
  
  A Suzuki motorcycle was found in pieces off the side of the road near George Bishop Parkway and Jacob Lane in Myrtle Beach. A North Carolina license plate and a helmet were also found nearby.
  
  A witness says he saw the injured man near the scene around 10 pm on Tuesday. The man, visibly shaken, walked across the road with blood on his hands. His head did not appear to be wounded, but he seemed confused and did not know the location of his motorcycle. He is said to be in his mid-twenties and to have left the scene on the back of a friend's motorcycle.
  
  Highway Patrol and members of the Horry County Fire Rescue will continue to investigate the accident and will release more information as it becomes available.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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• 4 injured in weekend motorcycle collision
  May 24, 2010

  
  Four people were injured in a motorcycle wreck Friday afternoon and are still recovering from their injuries. The collision occurred on Highway 5 near 521 in Lancaster County, South Carolina.
  
  The driver of one motorcycle lost control of his bike and hit another motorcycle. There were two passengers on each motorcycle and all four were ejected from the bikes during the collision. The wreck involved a 2002 Harley Davidson and a 2005 Harley Davidson. Police are uncertain as to which motorcycle caused the crash. Both were driven by male riders and carrying female passengers.
  
  Three of the riders were critically injured and had to be airlifted from the scene to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. The fourth was taken by ambulance to the same hospital.
  
  South Carolina Highway Patrol is still investigating what caused the incident.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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