[Updated 1:18pm]
Here’s the latest news from the Oregon State Police on a fatal bicycle crash that happened at 6:10 am this morning on Highway 30 near St. Helens.
A 49-year old St. Helens-area man died Monday morning when he was struck by two vehicles while riding his bicycle on Highway 30 north of St. Helens about 1/4 mile south of Island Road.
On October 1, 2007 at approximately 6:10 a.m. a 2001 Mazda Tribute driven by Rebecca B. Harrison N, age 48, from Deer Island, was southbound on Highway 30 near milepost 29 in the left lane when it struck a bicycle operated by Christofer Raymond Mabe, age 49, from St. Helens. After this initial impact, Mabe was ejected from the bicycle across the center median and into the left northbound lane. A northbound Ford pickup driven by Robert Sessions, age 48, from St. Helens, saw the victim’s body and swerved into the center median where it struck the bicycle at the point it had come to rest after the initial impact. Sessions did not run over the victim, but another northbound vehicle driven by Steven Graves age 31, from Kelso, Washington, was unable to avoid running over the victim.
Mabe was pronounced deceased at the scene. No protective helmet was found in the area of the crash.
None of the involved vehicle operators were injured. They were using safety restraints.
Not much info yet much – here\’s this from KATU
http://www.katu.com/news/10154756.html
I just updated the post with more details. name of the victim has not been released.
Any news on whether the cyclist\’s bike had lights? That seems to be a newsworthy omission, considering it was early in the morning and still dark out.
Very sad.
that sounds horrific…that\’s gotta be terrible for everyone involved. can\’t imagine…
\”southbound on Highway 30 near milepost 29 in the left lane when it struck a bicycle operated by the male victim.\”
If this is true, gotta wonder why he was in the left lane. Not many turns on that section of HWY 30.
It sounds like he was riding in the traffic lane as it says the car that initially struck him was in the left lane southbound (I don\’t recall if it is still two lanes each way there or not).
Either it is incorrect info from the source, or the cyclist was in the wrong place at the wrong time, sadly.
We can all once again learn a important lesson here..
Christopher Raymond Mabe, 49, of St. Helens.
I just saw a news flash on it with pics, and the highway is still two lanes either way there.
Why was he in the middle of the highway, if not turning around?
I noticed the regular comment about helmet use, \”No protective helmet was found in the area of the crash.\” As if a helmet would have prevented this crash or saved this cyclist. This reinforces the notion that bicyclists deserve what they get by taking unnecessary risks, i.e. riding without a helmet. This tragedy had nothing to do with helmet use.
One respondent points out that light use was not commented on. This issue has a lot more potential bearing on the cause of the crash, as at 6:15AM it was pitch black.
Speaking of lights – Make sure you got them, make sure you use them.
Stay safe all.
Dabby, I think the lesson here is: Wait until you have all the facts before speculating about what might have happened.
Sheila,
They also mentioned that the drivers \”were using safety restraints.\” Reporting on searbelt status is fairly typical when reporting on car crashes.
I don\’t think mentioning helmet use or lack thereof is intended to suggest that a cyclist is getting what he/she deserves. It\’s a simple fact of the case regarding safety equipment used/unused.
I agree that reporting the presence or absence of lights might be relevant, but I imagine that if they did report on that, there would be people unhappy for the same reasons you are unhappy that they mention the helmet.
Sheila,
They bring up the lack of helmet\’s as a matter of public safety, which I thoroughly endorse. It is true that if it was dark, the lack of lights should be pointed out, if it is the case.
This is done to point out and learn from the mistakes of others..
A.O.,
I refuse to be goated into one of your arguments (I have seen many of them here before).(and have sadly been involved in them)
Anyone in their right mind will add up these facts, and come up with the same thoughts that I have.
As I type this, I watched a news story on it, where it was stated that \” The OSP says the cyclist was riding his bicycle in the fast lane when he was hit\”.
As cyclists, especially ones who want things to change for the better, we have to take responsibility for how we use the road, Good or Bad, instead of assuming everything we are doing is just hunky dory.
\”As cyclists, especially ones who want things to change for the better, we have to take responsibility for how we use the road, Good or Bad, instead of assuming everything we are doing is just hunky dory.\”
Indeed. So when we learn why he was in the left lane, we will know whether he was really \”turning around\” or \”in the wrong place at the wrong time\” or something else – instead of speculating about the reason. Duh.
From this article, it sounds like he could have been riding because his license was suspended.
http://www.spotlightnews.net/news/story.php?story_id=119126628782304900
Once again, I shall not run willy nilly into your web.
I hope the family is dealing with this well.
See any difference between a cyclist and a rider of a bike? Cyclists, I believe, take themselves more seriously regarding travel and doing the safe and right things to the nth degree. However riders just want to get from point a to point b, in any manner possible and at any time. Safety isn\’t well thought of here I believe.
cyclists ride bicycles and motorists drive motor vehicles, it\’s really that simple. Trying to make this type of false distinction between various types of cyclists is non-productive at best.
Sorry, just see too many ill-thought of and advised moves here by someone riding a bike that would be so unlike 99% of the commuting cyclists I know. Guess I better wait for more info. on this…but!
Sorry, just see too many ill-thought of and advised moves here by someone riding a bike that would be so unlike 99% of the commuting cyclists I know. Guess I better wait for more info. on this…but!
But nothing. I just about got creamed the other week by some by-your-reckoning \”cyclist\” on a schmancy carbon number barreling down 42nd at a ridiculous speed, wearing blue kit at dusk w/ no lights. I had stopped at the intersection, looked, saw I was in the clear (or seemed to be), and was 3/4 of the way across when I heard him screaming in terror, which then turned to rage as he narrowly weaved around me and proclaimed me to be such-and-such.
My point: it\’s got little to do with \”cyclists\” or \”bike riders\” and a whole lot to do with people behaving stupidly or not behaving stupidly, just like anything else in life.
Now, let\’s can the B.S. and let this thread get back on topic, shall we?
The mention of safety restraints is understandable as it against the law not to use them.
Helmets on bikes? Not the law.
N.I.K. Sorry you had to meet up with the other 1%…see, what did I say?