My Morning Commute

[Grammy]

On my way to work this morning at approximately 0610, Southbound I-45 around West Road for you Houston guys, I guess (now) I was going between 35-45 mph. All of the sudden, 150+-ft in front of me, sparks and flying objects, I hit the flashers as brakes started lighting up. Approaching the scene I see a person on the shoulder very near the traffic lane. I pulled over to the shoulder as noone else had, split second decision. I wouldn't have if someone else had allready stopped but I felt obligated. My truck is a 1-ton dually, does not fit well on the shoulder.

I get back to the guy, he had been on a Harley getting on the ramp to the HOV, he was in remarkablly good shape considering he had flown about 100 feet, hit the jersey wall, came over it and landed on the shoulder of the highway. I just tried to keep him calm and told him not to move. By this time 2 other gentlemen and a lady stopped, I was glad because I was not comfortable on the shoulder by myself, their stopping really slowed down the traffic. I got a mag-light out of my truck gave it a guy and had him warn oncoming traffic to get a lane over.

He was roughed up pretty bad, glove ripped off with a couple of finger nails. He wanted to get the other glove so I was helping him when I noticed his wrist had 2 angles in it that were not suppose to be there.

He told me it was his fault that he hit the curb at the entrance to the ramp, he was beating himself up about the situation he was in now, he said he could understand it if he was hit by someone but this was self inflicted. He was wearing a heavy leather jacket, helmet and gloves which I believe probably saved his life. I just tried to keep the guy calm an not move while the others were on the phone with 911. His 2 phones were inoperable, he had no wife to call, mother in AZ. he did not want call and upset her.

It took about 15 minutes for EMS to arrive, they blocked 2 travel lanes and I came on into work.

Not really looking for what I should have done differently or an atta boy, everything was split second decision & did what I thought was best (right or wrong), just wanted to share my morning commute.

[Texas Size 11]

I used to ride my motorcycle down I75 in Dallas every morning and I think I would rather have the self-inflicted variety versus getting hit by another car if I had to choose.

He was lucky you stopped to help...

[Purplehood]

Someone has to stop and check....

Despite all our reservations about the bad-things that can happen to Good Samaritans, it really comes down to people like the OP doing what is right. I am glad the OP was there to help the guy out.

It also is a good example of why I quit riding 15-16 years ago. It is my sincere belief that if someone else hadn't driven me off the road, I would have done it myself sooner or later due to a momentary lapse of attention.

Yes, I know that applies to driving a car also, but a car just seems a bit more forgiving to me.

[Pug]

I used to ride my motorcycle down I75 in Dallas every morning and I think I would rather have the self-inflicted variety versus getting hit by another car if I had to choose. He was lucky you stopped to help...

+1 -- Two years ago a friend in Colorado rode off the side of a mountain (over-shot a corner) andlay there three days until he was found. He lived to tell, but only 'just barely.'

Last month--after 41 years of riding--I sold both of my motocycles. I love to ride. But there are just too many idiots on the road any more--both in four-wheel and on two-wheel rides. After a weekend ride that involved several 'near miss' accidents, none of which were my doing, my wife and I agreed it was time to go back to hunting, fishing and golfing. At least it won't be yard work...

[rmr1923]

glad to see he was wearing protective gear, among the sportbike crowd the jackets and helmets are as much about fashion as safety, but i know a lot of guys that ride cruisers consider it uncool to wear a helmet or other protective gear. a few years back when i was living in Lubbock, a friend of a friend (didn't know him personally) was killed in a motorcycle accident, they said he had a helmet but it was stapped to the back of the bike rather than on his head, sure enough it was the head injuries that killed him.

i sold my bike once we decided to move back south, the way people drive around Houston there's no way i'd feel comfortable in anything other than the HOV lane

[Kythas]

As much as I loved to ride, I gave it up two years ago after a wreck where I almost lost a leg. I was extremely lucky, though, as I was wearing absolutely no protective gear of any kind with the exception of a pair of leather half-gloves (which likely saved my left thumb from being ripped off).

I have to admit, though, on beautiful days the itch to ride becomes almost unbearable.

[Grammy]

glad to see he was wearing protective gear, among the sportbike crowd the jackets and helmets are as much about fashion as safety, but i know a lot of guys that ride cruisers consider it uncool to wear a helmet or other protective gear. a few years back when i was living in Lubbock, a friend of a friend (didn't know him personally) was killed in a motorcycle accident, they said he had a helmet but it was stapped to the back of the bike rather than on his head, sure enough it was the head injuries that killed him.

i sold my bike once we decided to move back south, the way people drive around Houston there's no way i'd feel comfortable in anything other than the HOV lane

Sorry about your friend of a friend, I am convinced his (this case) safety equipment saved his life. He was not a pretty sight but he was alive and able to go on to another day.