mongopino915
Colorado
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Joined: 05/16/2008
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Friday (08/15) at 12:30 noon, 1/4 mile East of the Jewell Cave entrance on Highway 16, a motorcyclist lost control of his bike due to slippery wet road and came shooting like a bullet right into my Chev. 2500HD front driver tire. All I saw was a black bike and rider disappeared underneath the truck. The first thought on my mind was "OH-NO". Immediately after the impact and the truck came to a stop, I heard my wife yelling from the back seat "He's alive". I got out and helped the staggering rider to the side of the road, got back in my truck and tried to move the truck to the side of the road but the left front tire had completely broken off and the truck could not be moved.
The motorcycle was totaled and my truck is at Leo's towing in Custer, awaiting damage assessment from the insurance. The 5'er was towed from Rafter J this morning to a storage site until I can go back to SD and tow it home (Denver). Amazingly, the guy on the bike walked away from the accident with only a small rip on his jean.
Me and the DW had to get a rental car from Rapid City airport to drive home. Small coincident but 7 hours after the accident, the rider of the motorcycle met us again at the airport trying to rent car as his bike is a total lost. He said to us that he was so grateful that we were there to save him so that he could go home (San Jose, CA) to his three kids and wife. The tire was what save him in that the tire was elastic enough to bounce his bike and him off the truck and the tire joint was just soft enough to absorb the impact by bending and breaking. A split second difference and he would have ended up underneath my hood or under the truck bed and back tires. If we were not there, he would have ended in the side rail or over the side rail and down the step hill.
In any case, although we had a rough time I was happy that no one was hurt. I look forward to getting the truck fix so I retrieve the 5'er.
We had three cameras with us but failed to take pictures as we were too emotionally shaken.
May everyone out there be safe.
JV
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Hornet28BHDS
Parker, PA
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Joined: 01/29/2007
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Wow! I'm really glad everyone is ok! Sorry to hear that you had to cut the trip short, though!
2006 Hornet 28BHDS-Bunk House, Dual Slides
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 HD
5.7L Hemi, Factory Towing Package
Reese Brake Controller, WD Hitch and Sway Bar
Life is short, why not spend it in an RV!
SPRING HAS SPRUNG!
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10tca01
Columbia Missouri
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Joined: 02/25/2008
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What an experience, it is one I hope I never have to experience myself! I'm glad everyone is okay.
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mongopino915
Colorado
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Joined: 05/16/2008
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Me and the DW felt a lot better now knowing that someone thinks that we'd saved his life. My 7 years old daughter was also in the truck and saw the whole accident. She did not cry until about 20 minutes after the incident. The first statement from her was "How are we going to get home?" as she cried.
May be this is a blessing in disguise and I am also grateful despite the headache and hassle.
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JT
out west
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Joined: 06/14/2002
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I hope that you called the police and that they took pictures and interviewed you, the biker, and any witnesses and wrote a report...? I also suggest that you notify your insurance company right away, if you haven't done so already. People's 'memories' of the *actual* circumstances of an accident and their acceptance of any responsibility can change quickly when the emotion of the moment passes.
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kknowlton
Wisconsin Border Country, IL
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Joined: 05/27/2005
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I'm glad you're ok - and that the biker is - too! Good point about calling the police, though it's a bit late now. Hope it all works out ok.
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Joined: 07/04/2006
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It is always good to hear everyone walked away from the crash
Sorry you are inconvenienced by loss of your truck and rolling home.
Hopefully he has insurance to compensate you
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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Serena
US
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Joined: 01/12/2008
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Glad you all got out of it ok. Hope that everybody wakes up feeling just as good tomorrow and just as glad you were there at the right moment to save his life.
Sometimes, you get hurt but don't notice it because of the massive adrenaline rush at the time. Had that happen - walked out of it with only a few stitches only to wake up basically paralyzed from all the deep body bruises and torn up tendons the next day. Took a couple years to walk right again, and some things will never get right. But I'm glad I made it. Coulda been about an inch worse and we wouldn't be having this convo. Coulda been, the fireman who hit me might've done something besides stand around jaw-jacking with the cops about how I was ok because my eyes were open and I knew my name. Could be, his cop buddy telling me to walk to the ambulance across the street when the tendon across my knee was severed wasn't the best idea he ever had. You did right by trying to look after the guy, and better yet, your daughter saw how you handled it. She'll remember that. Let's hope he does, too. You oughta get a Good Sam award AND a Good Dad award!
Serena
I Know Where I Been, Cuz I Was There When I Went.
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mongopino915
Colorado
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Joined: 05/16/2008
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About 2 minutes after the accident, a tow truck just happened to pass by and called the police using his radio as there was no cell phone service there. The police was on sight in about 15 minutes.
Just got off the phone with his insurance and they are already making plans to handle all financial issues. It's been a couples of days now and all involved parties are doing well, including the rider.
Thanks for all your generous replies.
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dmatt
Ventura County, CA
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Joined: 07/29/2003
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HOW LUCKY WAS HE!! So glad to hear no one was hurt. It's rare that the driver walks away in a collision between a bike and a truck. Sorry it had to ruin your plans. Hope the truck comes out without any lasting problems.
2007 Four Winds Dutchmen 29R-Ford E-450 V-10 towing a 2008 Toyota Matrix XR
2007 Toyota 4Runner(V-8) towing a 2006 Reinell 220LSE, 5.0L, 280hp GXI
Our camping photos
 under the stars
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