MILLCREEK, Utah, May 5, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — An unidentified motorcyclist is lucky to be alive after his bike crashed head on into a car that ran a red light Saturday on 4500 South.
Sgt. Melody Gray, of the Unified Police Department, said the crash, at 4500 S. 900 East, occurred at about 6:30 p.m., when the car ran a red light, right into the path of the motorcycle.
Officers responding to the scene saw the severity of the crash and the position of the man and his motorcycle and initially thought the man was critically injured.
“I could hardly believe it when he turned out to be in alpha-bravo (good) condition,” Sgt. Gray told Gephardt Daily. “He just may be the luckiest man alive.”
The motorcyclist was up and walking a few minutes after the crash. He was transported to a local hospital as a precaution.
Most people involved in a collision on a motorcycle aren’t as fortunate.
This incident serves as a good reminder to all drivers to slow down, prepare to stop when the traffic light turns yellow, and be aware of your surroundings.
At Tucker-Speed in Ogden, area motorcyclists have been gathering once a month since summer 2018, and they have many stories to tell about scary encounters with motorists who failed to see them on the road.
Two of those motorcyclists, both from Ogden, sat together at a table outside the Tuckers’ business Saturday evening while a live band played and dozens of bikers and their families partook of a pot-luck supper. Neither man gave a last name.
Bob told Gephardt Daily about some of his experiences on the road.
“A guy did a U-turn right in front of me,” he said. “And a lot of people have cut me off. You gotta be really watchful.”
Tom, who said he’s been riding a motorcycle for 30 years, spoke of a tragedy that occurred 10 years ago this June.
“My son died when three different cars hit him. He got thrown off his bike, and a car ran over him. He was 30 years old.”
Asked about the perception of bikers being showboaters, both men agreed that some do like to show off, but said most tend to be careful.
“Most bikers that have been riding 30 years don’t do that (stuff),” Tom said.
Another reason Tom wants drivers to stay alert and aware of motorcycles on the road: “I finally convinced my 89-year-old mom to ride on my bike with me.”
Tori Tucker, whose husband, Tony, owns Tucker-Speed with his younger brother, T.J., said these monthly get-togethers for riders in the community are family-friendly.
“There’s no alcohol, and the band is done well before 10 p.m.,” Tori said.
The business centers around motorcycle repair and service — “mostly Harley-Davidson” — and the Tuckers are working to make people aware of changes coming up in the Utah law regarding “lane filtering.”
They’ve been handing out flyers to help everyone understand what’s expected:
