ST rider down

[johncomp]

Posted by Robstv (Rob Fullerton) from brothers computer.

Rode over to visit my brother in Ft Lauderdale, then Saturday we were headed to Key west for a quick one day ride. Around MM 76 a cage crossed the center line, clipped a boat trailer, then contined full on into us. I swerved to wrong lane, but he hit my brother head on.

He is in Taverier Mariner Hospital ICU with several broken ribs, broken clavical, and punctured lung. Not bad considering.

His 6 month old ST1300 is done of course. But he looks like he should come out of this O.K. after a few days in the hospital.

Thanks,
Rob

[Mark]

Holy mackerel :eek: that machine is toast!!!
Glad to know your brother came through that relatively okay!

He's in my prayers!
Mark

[uptoblackwood]

Wow! what a shot of the bike. I'm glad your brother doesn't look like that!!!!
It sounds like he's going to be fine. That's great!

Speedy recovery.

Forest

[patiodadio]

Do you know why the car came into your lane ? Also was your bro wearing ATGATT ?
Glad you guys are OK !

[Mellow]

Rob, very sorry to hear this, hope John comes out and heals quickly, sure looks like he was lucky.

Let us know if you need help with anything and maybe we can find someone in the area to help out.

[Papa]

Thank God he's alive,, prayers for a full recovery

[BigTom]

Holy Mike! What a mess!

I'm seriously glad that John is still with us and has a good prognosis. My prayers will join the rest.

Can you keep us somewhat informed, Rob?

[nm6r]

Wow!!! What an incredible chain of events. It must have happened really fast. What are the chances of being in the wrong place at the time?

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Ray

[okckeith]

Wow. Looking at the bike. It sounds like he is lucky to be with us. Tell your brother that there will be lots of prayers for him.

[killerST6]

Holy mackerel :eek: that machine is toast!!!
Glad to know your brother came through that relatively okay!

He's in my prayers!
Mark

+1 on all counts! wow.

I hope they press charges on the cager as well. Wishing your brother a speedy recovery as well.

[STBNE]

Whoa...as bad as this accident was Thank God your brother will survive,and hopefully ride another day.The pic of the bike shows rather dramatically the forces involved.I will say a prayer for your brother's quick and full recovery.

[Raven]

+1 on all of the above -

I'm just speechless.....

[AgSTreak]

John, heal quickly and completely. Rob, thanks for the message, I'm sure that he had an angel riding with him.

[finalchecker]

One rider down is too many. I hope your brother makes a speedy recovery, and glad that you avoided injury.

[STurgisSTeele]

Prayers out for a speedy recovery.

[dduelin]

OMG. Prayers for all concerned.

[MGDaversa]

As some of the others have already said, WOW! Seems like your brother is lucky to be alive. For that matter, so are you. Praying that your brother makes a speedy and full recovery.
-- MGD

[travlr_45]

wow, what a shot. glad to know your brother will be ok. anyone know why the cage crossed the centerline?

[kjhkent]

All the best for a very speed for recovery, it could have been a lot worse as we all know. I have ridden a solo for the last 13 years dealing with this sort of collision. Sometimes there is just nothing you can do to avoid.

Again hopefully he will be back in the seat soon on a fresh bike.

[illzoni]

Wow!

Not to minimize his problems, but when you said "crossed centerline" and "headon" I was fearful the news would be far worse.

[stinger_06]

I hope your Brother has a speedy recovery also. He truly had an Angel with him,
considering the damage to the bike.

[Onicabbit]

I hope he gets well soon and is back on the road.

[SoloTotoCoyote]

Holy crap! Great to hear he's in relatively good shape after that. Just looking at the pic, I would have assumed much, much worse. Especially considering the front end was ripped off the bike. My best wishes and prayers to him and his family. The Man upstairs was definitely watching out for him on that one.

[RichKirk]

make sure the doc's check his spleen i had to have mine taken out with the same type of injuries thoughts with ya

[mpgar]

Of course all of our thoughts are with your brother and we offer our prayers for a speedy and complete recovery.

It just shows to go ya... in the blink of an eye, everything can change. No matter how careful you are or how well you ride, we all are naked to the world out there. Ride aware and maybe we can whittle down the odds of something like this happening again. I'm just saying...

Mike

[jbaker940]

Rob, my prayers for your brother, and you too. I'm amazed that his injuries aren't worse--what an impressionable picture. Modern medicine is amazing and I wish him a speedy recovery.

I had a similar experience as you, a good friend hit head-on on his bike and I was first responder. My adrenaline just shot up as I type this remembering that moment. I know you'll be there for your brother, and if my experience is any indication, you'll likely need someone to talk this through with after you see to your brother.

[Rob Hephner]

Wow, just saw this and well wishes for your brother, bikes can be replaced so all my concern and thoughts are for him and his family.

[EASt]

After looking at that picture, I'm glad to hear that your brother survived. Oh, wow, that's awful.

[AzDesertRider]

OMG, that picture is hard to look at!

Prayers for full, complete & fast recovery be with you!

[RobsTV]

Thanks everyone.

John is still in ICU on a thing that forces his lungs to expand, since it hurts for him to breath deep, and he needs to breath deep for the hole to heal without infection. Not a respirator. Forget what they call it. 8 broken ribs and lung puncture, plus broken clavicle.

I think riding our bikes made this safer, and things might have been worse if we were in a car. In a car, both would have been injured, both cars would have instantly slowed or stopped from the head on impact. With the bikes, I was able to avoid, and John was thrown over or onto (probably, don't know for sure).

He's already talking about getting a replacement bike.

Here is another photo from the cars driver point of view. Bike would have been coming towards you.
You can see under the fire truck John's skid marks, then he says the front end washed out before impact. You can see the cars mark it left on the road before impact, and then as it continued on as it tried to drive away. You can also see how far it threw the bike towards the left. The cars on the left are being diverted onto an old service dirt road, it is not a divided highway, just a two lane road in excellent shape.

[STBNE]

You said the car tried to drive away after the impact?You mean the driver tried to leave the scene?Hope the cager was caught and given the summons.Any explanation as to why the cager crossed into oncoming traffic?
When you mention Fla.I am reminded that Fla.has the highest m/c mortality rate in the country.I wonder how much of that mortality rate is due to the age of the driving public in Fla?:eek:

[RobsTV]

Cager only made it about 1/4 mile down the road before he pulled off.
But to me that shows that he was in control of the car the whole time, otherwise, don't you think he would have just stopped as soon as the car could be stopped after collision, not steered away? Police told me that cager, when questioned, did not even know he was involved in an accident, and thought he just was having some car trouble.

Tourists are just as bad if not worse than the elderly. They come from all over the world, rent a car or bike, and tear it up.

High mortality rate also can be attributed to 365 days a year riding in the entire state. There is no riding season.

Yes, here you can have a drivers license and if you only drive a couple times a year to the corner store, you become a "safe driver" (no accidents or tickets), then only need to renew by mail every 6 or 8 years. Yet, if you have been riding a bike for years, but failed to get the proper endorsement added to your license, they now require you to take a $300 safety course to legally ride a bike on the road.

After talking with several people that later stopped at the accident scene, most thought that of course it must have been caused by another crazy motorcycle rider. Then after I explain, and they see the marks in the road, they change their minds. But all those that were just passing through see this as another bad biker caused event, so laws are changed again due to ignorance.

[hortok]

Your brother is really lucky he didn't get pasted on the grill of that car or in through the windshield. Sending all the best thoughts possible his way.
I find it amazing how many people will drive away from accidents they've caused. My son was hit in his car with a friend in his car and the driver that was obviously at fault drove off without checking on them. There is no sense of accountability in too many people these days. I is and should be a felony. Your brother would be responsible for all the medical bills from this if the driver of the car had been able to get away.

[dduelin]

Your brother is really lucky he didn't get pasted on the grill of that car or in through the windshield. Sending all the best thoughts possible his way.
I find it amazing how many people will drive away from accidents they've caused. My son was hit in his car with a friend in his car and the driver that was obviously at fault drove off without checking on them. There is no sense of accountability in too many people these days. I is and should be a felony. Your brother would be responsible for all the medical bills from this if the driver of the car had been able to get away.

If I am not mistaken it is a felony to drive w/o insurance in FL. You have to have it to get tags but after that you drop it or steal someone's tag and hit the road never having bothered with the whole license/tag/insurance deal to begin with. Since you can go to jail for not having insurance and definitely for using an illegal license tag the incentive is to try and get away if you are involved in an accident. You have nothing more to lose. I don't think like that of course but many people apparently do as hit and runs are huge in FL.

To the picture - does it appear the car had something dragging on the roadway before the accident that left the white scrape marks?

[Mellow]

To the picture - does it appear the car had something dragging on the roadway before the accident that left the white scrape marks?

That's what I was wondering.. either that or it's chalk from the accident investigators.

[Tourin']

Tough situation indeed. Glad to hear he survived the crash. Probably a good point, about being on a bike. These things are common unfortunately. We're all very aware of Bikes naturally, but most of these are car on car (insert other vehicles too). Either way people will be injured, but in a car one may become trapped, pinned, or injured by their own car parts.

Looking at the scene pic (great idea to share that), does raise questions but also helps to see what happened to the Bike after impact. As this happens a lot, there are many reasons a driver crosses the line (or a median). Sometimes it isn't their fault, but the disaSTer is STill a disaSTer. Until we learn more, maybe these are possibilities to the car's "chalk" path. I don't know the local practice, but perhaps investigators did enhance the track; car made it once to the road edge, picking up soft material; roadway stripe was newly painted; something was picked up from the impact of the other vehicle? I'm always curious about these as a detective wannabe. I too have witnessed these, but as a Responder I'm usually there afterwards. Please keep us posted on his progress. We're interested in your brother. The other good news about a Bike, is that it's only stuff.:)

[RobsTV]

To the picture - does it appear the car had something dragging on the roadway before the accident that left the white scrape marks?

No chalk path. Marks left from car dragging parts.

The car quickly veered to it's left, crossed center line, then hit left rear of boat trailer being towed a couple cars ahead of us. This ripped the rear axle out from under the boat trailer. The cars left front wheel was also ripped off from that initial collision, but he somehow kept going. What you see is the mark the car left while driving towards us, through us, then away, with no left front wheel. Of course he wasn't going to go far. Looked like a newer silver Mercedes, but I could be wrong, as many cars now look like that, and it happened too fast. I did not go over to see the car or talk to the driver, as I don't think he would have told me anything I cared to hear.

BTW, the ambulance drivers told me not to follow them, and for me to wait for the police to take my statement. I waited more than an hour, and while waiting saw someone else taking pictures, so that gave me the idea to grab my camera as well. I had no clue what I was supposed to do at the scene. After waiting, the police were still at the other two ends of the accident scene, the boat start point and the car end point, so I went to boat area and told Highway Patrol who I was, and that I needed to go see my brother at Hospitol. He told me I could go. I later saw same officer in ER. Later I realized that at no time did any emergency personal ask or get my name or any other info from me. No statement. Nothing. It was like the bike people were not as important as the boat or car people. Not too happy about how police handled this. At no time during the 60 to 90 minutes I was there did any law enforcement officer inspect the car/bike impact area, or the bike or road around this. They were at the outer ends of where it started and where it ended, not concerned about the only injury related section in the middle.

[Mellow]

So, what were the dotted line marks behind the impact - further away in pic on left - was that where the bike bounced then came to rest in the grass.

[RobsTV]

If you look under fire trunk you can see the bikes skid marks. Dashed lines take over from there. John said he thinks the front end washed out, and those dash marks between skid and impact are something on the bike hitting ground before impact.

[AZST]

Brutal stuff.

Hoping for a speedy recovery for the rider.

--Bryan
04ST1300A
:04biker:

[Mellow]

If you look under fire trunk you can see the bikes skid marks. Dashed lines take over from there. John said he thinks the front end washed out, and those dash marks between skid and impact are something on the bike hitting ground before impact.

Okay... I see.. I'd bet that was the tip over bars... then the impact pushed it off to where it is now, you can see another longer line that matches with location of the bike.

Was the bike abs? Not trying to start an abs vs non-abs argument, just curious. I doesn't look like stopping sooner would have made a difference as the impact is what made the person change directions. Man, I don't know how you kept your composure, I'd probably be in prison right now.

[Putt]

--------------------------snip------------------------------

Man, I don't know how you kept your composure, I'd probably be in prison right now.

I hear ya Joe.... Dumb A/H cagers.......

While he is still in the hospital, make sure they check EVERYTHING......
Glad is was not as bad as it could have been, under the circumstances...


Putt...

[Mellow]

Hey, Rob did a great job... his brother needed him more than anything else and nothing else should have, or did, matter at that point... common sense had to take priority over the rage.

[SupraSabre]

Sheesh! Sure glad that your brother is doing as well as he is! After an accident like that, I'm sure he realizes how blessed he is to come out of it so well! And I'm glad that you were able to get out of the way. Your family is added to my :pray1: list.

Taking pictures was a good idea, you just never know if they will come in handy later. After my accident, I took a number of pictures. And then after sending "his" insurance Co. the police report and the pictures, (of my gear too...lets them know how much worse it could have been)...they have been real good to me so far.

[RobsTV]

Both bikes Non-ABS

John was riding to my right, about 15 feet behind me, traveling around 45MPH.
The whole thing only took a few seconds to happen.

Had bike to bike communication, and he later told me he heard me yell "Cars coming" as I saw the car swerve. I slammed brakes and waited to see which way car was headed, hoping it would be able to go back in correct lane. When it didn't, I swerved to left, continued braking, car missed me by a few inches, and out of the corner of my eye I saw John and car collide. So either the break lockup or delayed reaction timing managed to make him go faster than me at point of impact. ABS might have given him a tad more opportunity, but it happened so fast, it is unlikely the outcome would have changed. Actually, it might have been worse, since we don't know his seated position either way.

[Austin city limits]

FREAKING YIKES!!!:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
Man,,, I just saw this and have not read the whole thread but,,, just had to say I sure hope he recovers and gets a clean bill of health!!!

[Tourin']

Bob's point about pics is a good one. But I had one experience about pics to relate. One accident I stopped to assist at, involved an ATF agent (was rear ended). People weren't injured, but the Agent gets his camera out and starts capturing all vehicles there. I saw him "shoot" my truck. I had to alert him that I was NOT involved, and only stopped to help.


Hmmm, his name was Bob. Sorry Bob.:D

[upnorthdad]

I've never been able to figure it out... you have to wear a seatbelt by law.... but you don't have to wear a helmet on a vehicle that is much more dangerours to start with.... I love my Snell approved helmet and always will...

[Tourin']

I wear my helmet as well. Too bad even with a seatbelt law(s), it's a common problem to not use those either. One problem the no belt driver doesn't consider, is the other retraint systems (airbags). I've seen the sad result of someone not in the belt....airbags deployed, but the human was no longer in the proper position to benefit. I think bikers have a better sensation of forces involved in crashes, but car drivers possibly think their vehicle is enough protection.

Not to veer over too far from the seriousness of the thread, but (this could also be in the decal thread) people with their "no fear" decals, may not know what they don't know, yet?:confused:

[EJ's 97ST]

Both bikes Non-ABS

John was riding to my right, about 15 feet behind me, traveling around 45MPH.
The whole thing only took a few seconds to happen.

Had bike to bike communication, and he later told me he heard me yell "Cars coming" as I saw the car swerve. I slammed brakes and waited to see which way car was headed, hoping it would be able to go back in correct lane. When it didn't, I swerved to left, continued braking, car missed me by a few inches, and out of the corner of my eye I saw John and car collide. So either the break lockup or delayed reaction timing managed to make him go faster than me at point of impact. ABS might have given him a tad more opportunity, but it happened so fast, it is unlikely the outcome would have changed. Actually, it might have been worse, since we don't know his seated position either way.

Wow Rob, prayers sent from S & I for your bro's recovery. Man that bike look's really bad. Super glad he's not hurt as bad as you'd think from all the shot's we're looking at. Send him our best for a full recovery.
Ed

[alphafang]

Sorry to hear about the accident but really pleased to hear a full recovery is expected.
Just remember wounds heal and chicks love scars,,,,as my son says.
All the best and prayers
Paul

[dmulk]

WOw!!! Glad he is doing better!

<D>

[RickGrey]

Good lord!!

Wishing you the very best from myself and my family. Very glad to hear he is expected to recover fully.

[Ed_Grant]

Eight broken ribs. That's gotta hurt. :( I'm sure he's getting the best meds available. Just don't tell him any jokes for a couple of months. Laughing hurts or so I'm told.

[Muchmore]

Rob for starters we are all praying for his recovery. And thank God you of all people were there, had enough sense to conduct yourself the way you did and even taking pictures just in case. My friend God for bid this ever happen to me but I hope there is someone around as responsible as you to help, good job buddy from one rider to another.

[sandy]

Thoughts and prayers for yall's family.

[TxStPilot]

i hope he heals fast and as painless as possible..

by the looks of the bike pic, he was really lucky he wasnt tore up alot more...
(thankfully it wasnt his time to go.)

gods speed on recovery..

tsp

[sirepair]

Thoughts and prayers to your brother, you and your family. Here's hoping that the driver of the cage has the insurance to take care of it all and that the full extent of the law is used.

[johncomp]

Thank you all!
I'm back home after almost two weeks in ICU but I'll be fine.
Other then 7 broken ribs and broken clavicle I'm ok. Time will heal it all.
I'm just looking at the pictures, Wow, I did a good job. I was very lucky.
I'm bumming about the bike but I already got another used 06 black ST
lined up whenever I want it, as soon as I get insurance settled.

Thanks Again for all your good thoughts!
John

[sirepair]

John,
Great to see you posting "live and in person"! Recover fully and hopefully the insurance will take care of it all!

Best Wishes!

[rbs]

Rob,

My prayers have been sent for your brother, as well as praise that it wasn't much worse.

I am 3 weeks into healing of my broken clavicle and it still has a long way to go, so from all I have learned it is a slow process of recovery.

Oh yea, don't make him laugh!

[johncb1300]

Heres to a full recovery

[Mellow]

Thank you all!
I'm back home after almost two weeks in ICU but I'll be fine.
Other then 7 broken ribs and broken clavicle I'm ok. Time will heal it all.
I'm just looking at the pictures, Wow, I did a good job. I was very lucky.
I'm bumming about the bike but I already got another used 06 black ST
lined up whenever I want it, as soon as I get insurance settled.

Thanks Again for all your good thoughts!
John

John, glad to see you're home, that's got to feel better.

Continue to heal fast and we'll keep the lights on here for ya.

[Mark]

Yeah... what Joe said!

Heal well.. take your time... bones and bruises need time to heal and go away... we'll be here and there are plenty of bikes... so just take care of you...

[Elmo]

John,

I am just now getting to read this thread and all I've got to say is "WOW"!

I'm sorry that you've had to go through all of this, but I am certainly thankful that God was with you!

You and your family have my continued prayers.



Elmo

[valkanut]

ouch!! hurt just looking at photo...flashback memory...
happy to know you'll be ok,, you'll be in my pray...
best luck for your recovery.

[RobsTV]

For an update, he just arranged to purchase an '03 ABS ST from a member here, and I'll be riding it down to him next week. Too soon to ride again for him, but he can look at it......when it gets there....

Thanks for all the prayers!

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46759

[STBNE]

For an update, he just arranged to purchase an '03 ABS ST from a member here, and I'll be riding it down to him next week. Too soon to ride again for him, but he can look at it......when it gets there....

Thanks for all the prayers!

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46759
Thats great news...just further motivation to get healthy...:D