I watched a man die today-
 

This is one of several websites that I'm going to post this on.

-I'm not posting this on Rennlist, and I'm personally happy that Rennlist.com is not going to profit from the story I'm about to tell. I have a problem with their absent management, and I refuse support them at all.

I watched a man die today~

Here's the fact: I watched a man drive a Suzuki GSXR-1300 Hayabusa into an Acura TL sedan in Plantation, Florida, a suburb of Fort Lauderdale. I'm still freaking out. I saw his bike. I read his shirt. I looked him in the eyes sitting at the stoplight 45 secods before he died. Two minutes later I was gauging the distance between his body and his right leg- it was about 39 inches, or a proper meter.

Hmm. Did you know that human blood kind of looks like watercolor paint when it is in a bottle, but if you see an actual torn body like I saw today...that the blood and tissue kind of looks like ackrylic paints? The blood was very opaque.

Here's what happened: Me and my significant other went to the Broward mall today at 11:30 AM to look for draperies for my room. I fly nights for Fedex, and my house's shades, though pretty cool...are worthless overall. I need "room darkening" shades, so that I can sleep during the day, and we left our home for the JCPenney's out there for their curtain center, which is pretty much the place the find these things. We found the drapes, put in the order, and then climbed into the Ford Aerostar minivan that I own as well as my 928S2. Well, this morning I not only washed the Aerostar, but I waxed it with Rejex polish. This stuff is an aircraft polish, and you -CAN'T BELIEVE- how this stuff works! My 928 is almost black, but the previous owner had it repainted in a color that I call "UPS truck brown but in metallic", but despite the great way the Rejex gently shows off the metallic on my 928, it produces an Aerostar that is properly the star of the parking lot! The minivan positively glows with this finish. It is amazing how effective this wax is. What's more, it goes on and off in about 40 minutes, excluding the roof.

We spent our hour at JCPenney, and set sail down Broward boulevard eastward toward I-95 in said shining van. Well, about two miles down the street, I noticed a guy show up next to me in a GSXR-1300 Hayabusa. I rode motorcycle for years [Honda CB-750-four's], but recently sold my '76 since I wasn't using it and Fort Lauderdale is SUCH a *****ty place to ride! Anyway, my partner was driving, and when the bike rode up next to me, I noted his jeans and his mesh shirt, which was green and similar to one that I had at home. Amazingly, this guy was wearing a helmet- something that I remember approving of, as I sat there at the light. Broward boulevard is three lanes wide- I was in the middle lane, first in line. This guy was in the far right lane, but behind a Honda car.

-I remember as the light turned red, hearing him come along side, downshifting, and looking over at the bike. As he selected each lower gear, the nose of the bike dipped. Since it was a Hayabusa, the light on the nose is very vertical- the larger headlight above the lower- and I registered this as I sat in the right seat of the Aerostar. I was thinking about something else, but I remember noting the fact that he had a helmet on, and that it had a cool pattern of green and blue that kind of matched his bike. My minivan has Belgian flags on the rear, a Belgian flag on the front, but nothing on the sides. Most Aerostars have stripes, but I've found that the car looks best with nothing, kind of like a 928. I installed a tiny sticker on the front fender that has the Belgian flag and a tiny EU flag as well. It looks like a side turn signal. While I was looking at the bike over my shoulder, I noted that this guy was looking at my van. I'm pretty sure he was checking out the stickers and look overall, his turned helmet proving this. He kept looking at the back end of my van.

The light turned green, and this man now had about 20 seconds of life left. My friend accelerated the van forward as normal, the car to our right dawdled...and a few seconds later I heard the Hayabusa's exhaust pipes wail. He accelerated around the car to my right, and proceded in the far right lane of three to the east. I remember watching with satisfaction as the 'Busa accelerated, one of the fastest bikes in the world. I estimate that he achieved between 100 and 120 miles per hour in the half mile or so before the next intersection. That's just f*cking great-

The rest is now in slow motion: I watch him accelerating, I see the white late-model Acura TL sedan attempt to make a left turn, I figure "No...he's way away from the Acura, he'll go behind it...NO...NO...NO!!!! ****! ::impact:: parts go flying, and there is a huge explosion of steam as the coolant explodes everywhere. We were about 1000 feet away, and we rolled up the accident, parts strewn everywhere along the road. I couldn't believe what I was seeing, and my Belgian was screaming and didn't know what to do. I had left my cellphone at home, so I used hers and called 911. We pulled up to the curb about 100 feet beyond the accident scene....right next to the body of the rider. He was laying face-down next to a park bench, and I called 911 while stepping out of my van and walking over to him. I put my hand on his neck and felt for a pulse but couldn't find anything, all while talking to the 911 person. I hadn't noticed, but apparently, when he hit the car he flew through the air and hit either the light pole or the park bench that he was laying under; some guy came up behind me and grabbed my shoulder and said to me "his right leg has been ripped off- it is right there under the bush. Make sure you tell them about it". I looked and sure enough, though he had his helmet on, he was missing his right rear buttock and everything else.

I remember calmly thinking "Huh; human blood isn't like water-colors, it is really a lot like acrylic paints. It's very opaque and almost looks fake. Wow- look at that- you can see some of his intestines!" Did I mention that the whole time I was online to the 911 person? She's like "Can you do CPR on this person?"

The weird part about this is that though I have CPR training, I never thought of this. We stopped the van, and immediately called 911. We were the first people there, and this guy wasn't moving at all. I had no notion at all to try this until she said it [shock...] to me. I told her that he was wearing a helmet and bleeding from his face, which was pointed down, and that I know that you shouldn't remove a helmet from a motorcyclist who's been involved in an accident, since you might destroy his nerve column if he has broken vertebrae. I didn't know what to do, but this guy wasn't breathing and his heart wasn't beating. The 911 person was demanding information and about then I heard the ambulance coming, so I talked for a moment longer over the broken body.

The paramedics arrived and quite simply brushed me away. The man died; They immediately covered him with a yellow tarpaulin.

A minor concern in my part: Why didn't I throw the cellphone down and attempt CPR as soon as the van stopped? Granted, in this situation, it would have meant nothing since this man's body had been destroyed by impacts with handlebars, light poles, and the park bench he wound up under. I don't know. It made more sense at the time to call 911 and talk. FOR YOUR REFERENCE: Please get out of your car and make physical contact with accident victims.

What do you do after such a situation? I didn't know if I was supposed to make a statement to the police or not, I almost left, but when a cop did finally come to me, he told me that they indeed needed my statement.

=======

What can we all learn from this:

-Racing on public streets DESTROYS LIVES. A fast run by a motorcyclist on Broward Boulevard has destroyed one life for sure, and probably several others. The woman driving the white Acura was moving fine; I didn't check on her. Her car was DONE- I think the right front wheel was in front of the steering wheel when all was said and done, but I didn't get a look at the damage. How will the person in the white car feel?

-I've done the same damn thing on both 928 and motorcycle. As soon as we pulled away from the light, I was waiting the the 'Busa to go flying past. Shure enough, about 3 seconds after the light changed, he went past us with the grim reaper on back holding his waist. I should go to that intersection and take a picture tomorrow; you'd probably see this stretch from the windshied of your fast vehicle and think "hmm...why not?"

Third: I'm pretty messed up tonight. I've seen about three bad accidents in my life, but this is the first time I've watched a human being die. I was literally checking out this Hayabusa and the guy riding it 30 seconds before both were destroyed, and It's bothering me. My significant other has been in tears all night, it's ridiculous. Nobody needs this, so please: Think again if you decide to drive like an idiot!

N!

Sucks.

Sorry you had to deal with it.

Don't be hard on yourself. Somehow you probably "knew" it was over before you even got out of your car.

sorry to hear. From your description of the rider, my thoughts wouldn't have been "good he's got a helmet" but instead "wtf is he doing in a jeans and mesh shirt?" This weekend I have seen numerous riders in shorts and tank tops. And even worse, guy with their g/fs on the back wearing shorts or a miniskirt.

AGATT - god speed

Normy;

Thanks. I have BTDT, and been sitting in your seat as well. It will take some time for the colors and smell to go away.

Every time I twist the right grip to go around some stupid SOB on the road, I think of all that can go wrong. It sometimes does.

our frail human bodies are no match for these powerful machines. some people need to have more respect with safety in mind. that's just horrible. I'm sorry you had to go through that experience.

Did Medivac for years. You never really get totally used to seeing something like this.

Three years ago I sold my fast BMW motorcycle and bought a vintage one. It goes about 60 mph max and thats downhill with a tailwind. I do not need to go 140+ anymore on two wheels. Part of the reason was accidents like this one.

RIP

Part of the reason is state license tests for motorcycles. I have a motorcycle endorsement on my license...means I could walk into a dealership, buy one of the fastest road bikes made, and ride away. Do I personally feel qualified to do so? Hell no! I got that endorsement by riding through cones on an early 1970's 175cc Yamaha dirt bike back in the early 70's. Haven't ridden a bike since the late 70s....the largest still a dirt bike, 360 cc. I'd have no more business on a hot bike than a guy licensed to fly a cessna 150 "I follow roads" would be strapping into a F-16...

At least the FAA does the licensing right...or I hope so.

Another example? A guy who got his driver's license driving daddy's Buick making big bucks in the market, then buying a Carrera 3RS... Disasters waiting to happen, and there is no surprise when they do.

A typical day here in SoFLA. You see motorcyclists (sport bikes & Harley's included) riding like ****** a-holes 24/7.

Here's a link to the story in today's newspaper:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-flbmotorcycle0716nbjul16,0,165620.story?coll=sofla _tab01_layout

There is one (or more) stories like this every single week.

P.S. - Where can us "civilians" get the aircraft wax you used to polish that beautiful Aerostar?

Norm.....go back and read your sig line. That says it all. It sounds like a real tragedy was avoided. Had he killed the driver of that Acura, there would have truly been a reason to mourn.

With his riding style and lack of respect for the machine and the innocent people he put at risk, it was only a matter of time. You just happened to be there when the inevitable occured. Life goes on. This too, will fade in time.

I think about stuff like that everytime I get on my bike. I'm the most conservative rider I know - I can't stand the thought of my wife getting a call from a police officer...

Don't be hard on yourself, though. You put your hand on him and he went out knowing that someone gave a damn. You did good.

Normy thanks for sharing! Was a State Trooper for a lot of years and have been a biker since I was 13. I've seen more than my share of death and suspect I'll see more before I go. I'm a firm believer in 'when its your time, it's your time!'

Hang tuff bro!

This was one weird story. A story of death juxtaposed with a story of your highly polished, stickered up minivan. Weird.

Take it real easy for a few days. You are shell shocked.

You did nothing wrong, and while I am sorry for that rider, I am glad you are OK. Be safe.

Norm,
Witnessing the death of a person has consequences.
I was unfortunately a witness to a rollover six month ago. The driver died almost instantly of a broken neck.
The short version is I was depressed for over a week. I cannot explain how it affected me and the intensity surprised me.
I remember his face prior to the accident. A happy mid fifties guy happy to be playing with his Cobra.
You need to talk to someone you trust and who is familiar with this sort of thing.
Talk to those you love. Slowly with time the impact will recede.
Don't expect others to possibly understand, unless they have had a similar experience.
Writing your post is a great first step toward your personal recovery.
Hang in there.

There but for the grace of God go I.

Stories and experiences of my own like this are why I no longer make moral judgments on anyone.

And I felt foolish putting on all my riding gear today in 90 deg. heat just to go down the street to get a tank of gas for the bike. Yesterday, also with all the gear on, I had my closest ever miss at about 80mph when a guy in his SUV jumped over into my lane without looking or signaling. I was so shaken up (after passing him and giving him the finger), that I had to stop and have a smoke, buy a few 22 oz. cans of Sapporo to put in the tank bag and go home to relax.

I'm happy to be alive when I get on my bike and I'm happy to be alive when I get off my bike.

Isn't the posted speed on Broward Blvd in that area 35?

So this guy was doing 3X the posted limit?

Hopefully whoever was in the TL is O.K.

I am sorry you watched someone die, I would imagine it shakes you up pretty bad.

Its dangerous enough driving a bike in South Florida add in insane speeds and you are death waiting to happen.

Every time I come close to getting a bike, I read a story like this, or many others in the local news and decide to keep a cage around me.

I had a similar experience one time which I will not go into much detail. 2 cars collided head on right in front of me on a Nebraska highway. The Camaro had a guy and his dog, both died. The Lincoln was worse. 3 kids in the back seat. the one in the middle only had a lap belt and I am not going to go into detail but.... only one of the children made it. That is really, really hard to think about. The wife was on the passenger side and it was 100% clear she was not wearing a seat belt.

Thinking of this still makes me physically sick to this very day. N - I can understand what its like. Its not a good feeling.

Relax man, you stoped and tryed to help out in a hopeless situation. That is the best a man can do. Thank you. It is amazing how violent a wreck is and how it simply appears out of thin air in a split second.

Now for the 'rest of the story'.......

Three elderly occupants of the Acura escaped injury.





Someday when I get old, I am going to move up north and drive real slow.