A Sad Blog Today…
October 4, 2011
Yesterday we traveled the about 65 miles from Sixes to Brookings, Oregon. Along the way we came upon a sad happening. There was only one motorhome in front of us as we came to a stop. The event must have happened just a few seconds before our arrival. We discovered that two young women riding bicycles were apparently struck from behind by an auto. You may click on the photos to enlarge them…
In this photo this bike ended up on the right side of the road. The woman was thrown down the embankment to the right…
The other bike ended up on the left side of the road…
and the woman ended up in the middle of the road. The car that struck the women is parked along the right side of the road…and directly to the right of the car…the driver is approaching the scene…
We assisted as much as we could. Both women were still alive after we were allowed to move on once medical assistance arrived about twenty minutes later. I’ve been on the road for many years and have many miles accumulated. Fortunately this type of event has been a rare occurrence for me to witness.
The road today was perhaps the most scenic that we have seen on the Oregon coast. Since I do the driving…Mary gets to take most of the photos. These two were taken during our stop for lunch about 1:30 PM…
We are hoping that both women will survive with major complications.
We were supposed to spend the night at the VFW in Brookings…however their parking lot was quite small. The Masonic Lodge…a short distance away was kind enough to let us spend the night there.
All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2011
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That is So horrible
It must have been really a sad and bad experience . Hoping the two woman will recover. Sometimes it is dangerous to go by bicycle…I do it myself…
robert
I have been following up on this one, and as of now the driver is facing no charges for running over 2 cyclists from behind who weren’t even on the road. If the driver had just kept in his lane of travel he would have missed the cyclists (not by much granted) and everyone could have gone their merry way, but he went off the road in a straight stretch with decent visibility and nearly killed 2 innocent people.
Sickening isn’t it? Had he hit another CAR, now boy would he be in trouble.
I wonder if he was looking at his handheld or simply drunk.
The girls will have a lot of bodily suffering ahead of them. Even minor bike accidents cause painful permanent damage.
[...] bicycles struck by driver near Gold Beach and a first-person account of witnesses BLACK MONDAY. and A Sad Blog Today… From the pictures you can clearly see the driver LEFT THE ROAD to hit at least one of the cyclists [...]
Hi Mary and Jim,
Thank you for taking these pics and for blogging about your recollection of the event that took place on October 4, 2011. It has been hard to read through it all; and worse, look at the pictures. But neither Martha or I have any memories of what exactly happened that day, so we are very much indebted to you. And I know our families, particularly our parents, feel similarly… THANK YOU!!!!
Highway 101, as I am sure you`ve noticed, in considered ‘Oregon Coast Bike Route’ and is world renown for its scenic views and safe travel, with many sign announcing the presence of cyclists throughout, especially on bridges and in tunnels. Martha and I have only the best of experiences to return home to Canada with. We both wholeheartedly enjoyed our journey from Vancouver to Port Orford, having met the kindest of souls who often provide us more room on the road than note, offer us places to stay at night, and give us business cards just in case anything should happen.
We were on day 17, with only 17 more left to go, when we were struck on Monday. I haven`t heard a peep from the police about the investigation and the charges that may or may not be laid on the man who hit us. Frustratingly enough! But I can report that Martha has gone from critial condition in the ICU to stable. She is breathing on her own, talking here and there, and even tempting her first steps earlier today. This is a significant improvement from yesterday`s prognosis. I have a few broken bones but have been alert and well ever since they moved us from Curry County General Hospital to Sacred Heart Medical Centre near Eugene. I expect to be back in Canada by next week.
Again, many thanks for everything, including your warm thoughts and best wishes!
Sincerely,
Essya (Bike 1; lady thrown in the embarkment)
Correction: Events that took place on Monday, October 3, 2011.
I’m so glad you and Martha have survived. Be sure to contact your auto insurance company if you have one. They will probably represent you in this accident even though you were on a bike. That’s has been my personal experience. Good luck to you.
Essya, there is a truck driver who has commented on the Portland bike blog who says he was the first on the scene. He says it was apparent to him that you two were well off the road on the shoulder when hit. He says the volunteer rescue squad swept up all evidence before the police even arrived. He wanted to stay and tell the police what he witnessed but was shooed away. He also says he’s called the police to tell them what he witnessed but hasn’t heard from any investigators.
I think you need to call the oregon state police and ask for the name of the officer who is investigating the accident. There should be a name of someone who is responsible.
http://bikeportland.org/2011/10/04/collision-on-hwy-101-north-of-gold-beach-leads-to-serious-injuries-60050#more-60050
Jonathan Maus at the portland bike blog (bikeportland.org) has a loud voice and knows how to get action for these types of things. Contact him through his blog or post on that thread and he may be able to help you get some justice.
The entire biking community is greatly relieved to hear you’re recovering.
Hi Aunt Esso,
Thanks many times over for all this info and your well wishes! We have had the contact info of the Trooper investigating this accident, and yesterday my family was finally able to pick up my stuff and speak with an officer. The information relayed to me has been distressing and, last night, I had my first nightmares
I did go to the Portland Bike website, as per your suggestion, and posted to Dennis, the trucker’s, comment. I hope he receives my message and responds to me shortly. I would very much like to speak with him, at the very least, to thank him for whatever he may have done at the scene and for trying to follow up with OSP.
I will keep Jonathan’s name as a reference, for sure.
With all my gratitude,
Essya
Hi Essya,
I work with Martha’s mom. We are so happy to hear you and Martha survived this terrible ordeal. The last few days we’ve nothing else on our minds. Your updates and words have really
helped. You and Martha are in our thoughts and prayers.
Frank & Joanne
Thank you, Frank and Joanne, for keeping us in your thoughts. I’ll be sure to relay your post as soon as possible. We celebrated this (Canadian) thanksgiving weekend with pumpkin pie, just as Martha and I had promised ourselves on the road
I hope you two indulged too!!!
Warm regards,
Essya
Hi Essya,
Martha’s mom is my manager, so I work with Frank as well.
Ever since we heard the news of the accident, it’s been difficult to concentrate on much else. Great news to hear that you both are recovering, we all wish you both continued progress; thank you for keeping us updated
You are all in our thoughts and prayers
Paul M
Many many thanks, Paul!!!