ST. LOUIS, Missouri (AP) -- Authorities are searching for a pack of highway stunt motorcyclists blamed for a wreck that seriously hurt five people in a sport utility vehicle.


http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/Midwest/0....ap/index.html

================================================== =

Stunt motorcyclists blamed in serious accident
Wreck forces SUV off road, injures five people
Wednesday, August 25, 2004 Posted: 6:45 AM EDT (1045 GMT)

ST. LOUIS, Missouri (AP) -- Authorities are searching for a pack of highway stunt motorcyclists blamed for a wreck that seriously hurt five people in a sport utility vehicle.

A handful of motorcyclists were on Highway 364 Saturday when they changed lanes and cut off a Ford Explorer, forcing that vehicle to swerve to the right and hit a Chevrolet Suburban.

The Suburban tumbled down an embankment, ejecting most of its eight occupants. Five people in that vehicle were seriously injured; the other three sustained lesser harm. Only one was wearing a seat belt.

"There's a common misconception that if motorcyclists are in an accident, they're going to only hurt themselves. This proved that wrong," Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper Brian Geier said Tuesday. "Now the public is more aware that these types of stunts cause these accidents."

By some accounts, a chase vehicle was filming the motorcyclists.

Witnesses said the motorcyclists were "riding wheelies, showing off, doing stunts," with another vehicle following them, Patrol Cpl. Jeff Myers said. He called the antics "total disregard for the safety of others."

In many cases, "extreme motorcyclists" -- thrill-seekers who pop wheelies while pushing their machines to the max, at times over 100 mph -- film their exploits for display, at times for online sale.

Nationwide fatalities increase
Safety advocates are quick to point out that motorcycling is no game, with fatalities nationwide having risen every year since 1997. The number jumped from 2,116 in 1997 to 3,661 in 2003. It's not clear how many of those deaths were related to extreme motorcycling, said Judy Stone of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, a Washington-based lobbying group funded by the insurance industry.

During a three-hour drive home last weekend from Pennsylvania, she said she saw motorcyclists "going so fast, weaving in and out of traffic. It was so outrageous. They had to be going 80, 90, 100 miles per hour."

"It's totally irresponsible and very dangerous," she said. "Clearly, you've seen the results of that."

In June 2003 near Omaha, Nebraska, 34-year-old John Reid Jr. was standing on a road videotaping motorcyclists performing stunts and racing when he was run over and killed by motorcyclist Michael Wilkes. Investigators said Wilkes was driving as fast as 150 mph; he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor motor-vehicle homicide, a charge reduced from a felony.

In Arizona, things got so bad that law enforcers in 2002 created a task force targeting sport bike riders that police and motorcyclists agreed were pushing the limits on that state's roads.

Sometimes, authorities said, packs of 10 or 15 sport motorcyclists have raced on Phoenix-area highways, terrifying other motorists. Often, one officer lamented, "their kick is to find cops, race by them, give them the middle finger salute or wave at the officer. They are out of sight in the blink of an eye."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright 2004 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

 

Often, one officer lamented, "their kick is to find cops, race by them, give them the middle finger salute or wave at the officer. They are out of sight in the blink of an eye."

haha. That **** is tru i lived in phoenix a few years ago. Even people in cars do it (streetracers). funny ****.

 

I think I might know those guys...

Well, not on a name basis, but I've heard of the group.

edit:: the Arizona ones, not the Mi ones, lol.

 

wow, that suxs

 

That really sucks!! These guys are completely in the wrong and obviously caused the accident, but seriously, how does a 375lb bike run a 5000lb Explorer off the road? I think someone got a little spooked and jerked the wheel a little too quick. Not trying to shift blame or anything, I just wish people would drive a little better in this country.

 

True... but I agree there is time and place to do the stunts.. crowded highways is not one of them.. sure highways are good if there is no cars for a ways.

 

they were probably too busy watching in amazement to pay attention to the road. I've seen alot of drivers do that.

 

Bummer ....makes you wonder how this will affect the way people view stunting. Certainly not a step in the right direction for freestyle riding.

 

I have a feeling we all know how this will effect the public's view.

Public------>>

People that know nothing of the sport will make their own assumptions about who we are and what we do.

 

Exactly. If I act like an idiot, and cut someone off (which I never do) I deserve to get run over. That driver should of stayed in the lane.....

The unfortunate part about rocking the streets is that it is illegal. Illegal in many ways, and am not arguing what the cops are doing. This is our risk.

But, there are idiots out there that ruin the enjoyment for others. This accident was tragic, but street car racers do the same thing.

Just go out later at night and everyone will be better off.....

A friend died on the 13th on his bike (not stunting)..... Please be safe

Godspeed

Camo

 

No matter when you decide to ride on the highways there's allways going to be consequences. If not an accident you end up running from the cops. Either one is gonna give this sport that some of us are trying to build up a bad name. But **** it that's just how its gota be. Some people drive dumb.

 

It's unfortunate that something like this has to happen, but I also question the driver of the explorer's part in the accident. It's easy to place blame on a motorcycle that wasn't there.
But, this gives us all a better argument the next time the popo try and kick us out of our spots. Where would you rather have us ride. In lots or on the streets?

 

No ****.. every time we take the streets on a bike .. stunting or not its a risk. We all know with cell phones, and just ignorant drivers they dont pay attention to us..

 

First off, don't get me wrong. I love stunting and have done my fair share of street stunting but everyone is making excuses for what they did. It is a risk to ride the streets but WTF...who cares if "the guy should have styed in his lane" and stuff. The guys riding were riding illegally and caused a major accident by their riding, simple as that. The should have stopped and been responsable for their riding. How many people here cause an accident then leave? WTF. Sorry for the rant but I was on my bike plowed by a cage that ran a stop sign and the guy left. I bet if I posted that eveybody would be posting want a dick he was for leaving and stuff but guys on bikes causing an accident and bail and its okay cause their stunters. Ever think what it would be like if that was your family in that suburban? Just my

 

True that...

 

Not to ruffle your feathers, but I want to see where the bike (hit) the Explorer i.e. paint on the truck. Nobody here knows the truth, so ranting won't help. I have been hit 3 times by cars (all at speed limit). Most drivers suck as it is. Let's give the benefit of doubt to the rider and pray for the injured.

 

you guys all sound like idiots. were you there? how do you know? theres a lot more to that story being reported than what you just read. they think there was a car that clipped the 16 year old driver, who in turn hit the others.

sounds more to me like an inexperienced driver swerved way more than was needed probably cause he wasnt watching the road. think about how good a driver you were at 16

 

oh but if the SUV had ran over the rider it still would have been the riders fault!!!!!! John Q public has no pitty on sport/crusier riders and those of use who ride knows it, i don't know how many times i looked at a person in a cage eye to eye and he/she still had the gumpshin to come it to my lane !!!! they were just in awww and weren't paying attention to what "they" were doing (they being the explorer and the suburan ) and it's so much easier to blame the sport rider than to buck up and say "it was my fault"

 

I live a litte West of PHX and I know about the police patrolings. They have specific patroll Helo's. The birds are deticated to finding the motorcycles. They have called it Project M.C. Hammer.

As far as the SUV. I feel bad for the people that are injured. I am sure the focus will be on the biker boyz throwing down on the highway and not the fact that they were prob. not wearing any seatbelts and that is why they were ejected.

Take care all

Drewman
www.drewman.us
www.jasonbritton.com
www.asstunters.com

 

heres another version http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/new...ld+on+highways


the local news keeps showing clips of the streetfighterz, trying to pin it on them cuz theyre the most well known group here. funny cuz they were at a paid event when that happened