Be Careful People!

Link to thread on Hayabusa.org

Motorcyclist Struck by Van

By Dana Willhoit
The Ledger
dana.wilhoit@theledger.com

LAKELAND -- After a van collided with a motorcyclist Wednesday morning and left him in critical condition, all the people in the van jumped out and ran away, police said.

The wreck happened shortly before 7 a.m., a witness told police. Stephen James Mead, 43, was riding a 2004 Yamaha motorcycle south on Galloway Road and stopped at the New Tampa Highway intersection.

When the light turned green, Mead started through the intersection. Emily Higgins, who was in her car behind the motorcycle, told police she looked to her left and saw a 1990 Chevrolet van run a red light and hit Mead's motorcycle.

The van pushed Mead and his motorcycle across New Tampa Highway onto the southeast shoulder of the road.

The van's driver and passengers jumped out and ran across a field, police said. Witnesses saw between four and 10 people run out of the van, Lakeland police said. Police searched the area but did not find any of the people who had been in the van. The case remains under investigation.

Mead was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, where he remained in critical condition Wednesday.

The van is registered to Hernandez Ginez Meliton, of 14284 County Road 64, Greeley, Colo., police said.

 

That's sad. Not to sounds racists but when they said about 10 people jumped out of the van i figured they would be mexicans. There are always like cars jammed packed full of mexicans in Plant City. Especially during strawberry season. Again I am not being racist...I know not all mexican immigrants are like that.

 

P.S. That happened about a mile from where my house is being built. That's crazy.

 

Beat em down and then deport em.

 

This is not a bash the imigrants(sp) thread.

This a request for your thoughts and prayers for a fellow rider and his family.

It's Christmas... Steve has a family, and as his clinges for life they will be spending Christmas by his bed side.

Say a prayer for him... and be careful yourselves.

 

I wasn't basing anyone. I did say that was sad. My prayers are with him and his family during this holiday season. Almost makes me not want to ride in months with major holidays.

 

Bummer man... hope he makes it out OK.

 

I'm with ya... just don't want to loose focus.

...not that we A.D.D. bikers have an issue with staying focused

 

probaly mexicans

 

Steve's not doing so well (the rider of the R1 that was struck by the van).

Steve has several broken ribs and toes, already had one toe amputated.
He made it through the surgery to have a sliced aorta repaired, now he has a chance that he'll live.
The next big step is to determine the extent of spinal cord injuries.

Steve is apparently trying to move his arms and legs, which is good news. They still have him strapped down and sedated so that he doesn't injure himself more by moving.

As of yesterday, Christmas, his family was still by his side. He is still sedated to the point he is unable to speak of recognize anyone.
The fear is that there was significant injury to his spine and neck.

Please keep Steve and his family in our prayers.

Below is a small collage of pics of Steve courtusy of Kevin (his best buddy & riding partner).