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StumbleMotorcyclist dies in hit-and-run crash on I-15
Published Wednesday, April 7, 2010 | 4:44 p.m.
Updated Wednesday, April 7, 2010 | 7 p.m.
Fatal crash
UPDATED STORY: Coroner IDs victim in I-15 crash; semi-truck driver sought
A motorcyclist died in a hit-and-run collision with a semi-truck this afternoon on Interstate 15, closing several northbound lanes and creating long delays for motorists.
The accident scene was cleared shortly before 7 p.m. and traffic has resumed as normal.
Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Chelita Rojas said the crash happened at 4:02 p.m. near the Sahara Avenue exit on northbound Interstate 15. The driver of the motorcycle was pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash was recorded on a traffic camera and troopers are searching for the semi-truck that struck the motorcyclist, Rojas said.
Three travel lanes were closed during the evening rush hour.
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In most REAL cities they'd have an accident scene cleared in under a half hour, here 30 cops and FD people have to stand around with their thumbs up there butts and talk it to death. They won't even direct traffic, its beneath them. Fire all the union monkeys!
Don't like hearing about Motorcycle involved accidents as it usually is not too good for the motorcyclist. Hope they are ok.
Go take your medication Smitty: they're doing their job. It's a fatality. That means someone died, and you're to stuckup to take a side street so that NHP can do a decent job. This includes recording the scene and taking measurements, so that if this goes to trial (if it was another's fault), the victim's family can get some justice. Maybe you should go tell them that you would prefer they get their deceased family member out of your way.
Go away.
Hey Smitty,
"A fatal motorcycle accident in Surprise closed all westbound lanes of Bell Road between Parkview Place and Reems Road Friday morning.
Some eastbound lanes also were closed due to the accident, which occurred at 9:30 a.m. The city reported that Bell Road was likely to remain "severely restricted" until mid-afternoon Friday. "
News clip from Arizona....Happens everywhere... Now quit typing and driving before you cause another one.
Smitty, are you seriously more concerned about the traffic management of authorities, over the actual story of a fatality? Wow.
Um.....environ. Read it again. Unfortunately, the motorcyclist died.
i hate to say it, but this was probably a typical moto rider swerving in and out of traffic.
I actually just got out of that jam (as most of you prob did coming home)... Sorry for your loss (families of the cyclist)... Even while stuck in the traffic leading to the scene (I get off at 95) heading north from Sahara, there were two (2!) motorcycles that were weaving in and out of the cars that were going <10mph... THATS what causes these sort of accidents most of the time... And for the record (@VegasSmitty) Im from Philly and they dont clear up any faster than they do here... Not sure what exactly their doing while what appears to be standing around on the scene... (the ambulance had already left when I passed the scene)
LVLaw2005 :
More details have been added since I originally posted..
yea what is with the motorcyclist swerving in and out of traffic. I was on 215 by Decatur going west. And I almost took out a motorcyclist because he was driving between lanes/cars and I wanted to change lanes. If I had a large blind spot like a big truck, and my car had better sealed windows, he would have been gone. There was no place for him to swerve to either. SO IF YOU DRIVE/RIDE A MOTOR CYCLE PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT YOUR DOING BECAUSE SAFETY BEGINS WITH YOU.
Hey Smitty,why don't you take your finger out of your butt and think about the guys family that was killed.Its people like you that make this world suck because they think of nothing but themselves.Oh by the way, He was my uncle you ass. And for all of you others that have stupid comments, he was older and not one to weave in and out of traffic. It was one of you idiots that cut him off and left no time for him to stop I'm sure. Typical Vegas idiots!!
Was the riders name Charell Williams? He doesn't weave in and out of traffic like that though.
You know it is truly unfortunate that my home town has become so horribly inconsiderate! If you have to comment on something that happens in the news perhaps you should think before you type/speak. This fatality was a family member of ours. It is rediculous how quickly people jump to conclusions without the entire story. It sickens me that family members are trying to find out what happened from far and near and are met with crude and disrespectful comments. Thanks for caring for the family who is hurting. And while people do ride their bikes in an irresponsible way it's not fair nor proper to assume that every motorcycle rider who dies exercises that type of riding style. EVERYONE NEEDS TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT THEY'RE DOING, BE IT ON A MOTORCYLE OR IN A CAR!
Sorry for your loss, nitro. I am sure he was a good man.
Smitty you are a piece of crap! He is my uncle and I saw this on my way to a job, It was not a pleasant sight. You need to think before you post and mabe consider the motorcyclist. I ride too and he was careful and didnt deserve this, people in Vegas dont pay attention and are the worst drivers I have ever seen!
VegasSmitty, what you wrote is pretty ignorant and obvious you know little.
Whenever there is a fatality hit-run accident it will be investigated exhaustingly because if the case is thrown out on a mistake by the investigative "monkeys" as you put it, people like you will berate these "monkeys" even more. "Damn if they do, damn if they don't."
I've lived in other places where "monkeys" would spend just as much time, if not more, investigating.
First and foremost to Nitro, Montana, and Andyarama---I am sorry for your loss. My sympathys go out to you and yours. And to Jat---the few bad apples that you saw on 215 does not represent all of the motorcyclists. But you are correct in saying that safety starts with yourself. Now to smitty---YOU INSENSITIVE PRICK. GET A LIFE. With all that said, I have noticed that some people have mentioned a large problem that we have here in Vegas. I myself ride a motorcycle and try to be as careful as I can. There have been a few times were I was almost ran off the road because other drivers ARE NOT PAYING ATTENTION. One other time was a driver seemed to think that since I was on a motorcycle, I didn't need all the room infront of me, so he swerved infront. There is a reason for that room in front. Let's face it. People around here DON'T PAY ATTENTION! What would be nice and may help (sooner or later) is if you let your friends know to watch out for motorcycles and hopefully they in-turn will let their friends know and on down the line. And if it was the semis fault, which will be proven by the forensic evidance, I hope they throw the book at him over and over again. So you see Smitty, that's why it took so long to clear up the freeway. There was a lot of evidance to gather. And again, my condolences to those who lost a love one.
You those of you who are being disrespectful should go back to school and learn how to respect other people and have compassion for loved ones loss. This man was a great man, I should know I worked with him. He will be greatly missed at my job cause he knew how to make everyone smile. For the family all of our thoughts, hearts, prayers go out to you and yours at this time from everyone that knew him at Venetian/Palazzo Resort & hotel in Telecommunications. He always knew how to cheer me up when I was having a bad or sad day. May God take care of his family through this very difficult time.. God Bless..
i would never, ever ride a cycle in las vegas.
just too many accidents. i mean...if moto COPS get in an accident once a week...how well is anyone else going to do?
too many new people, too many drunk people, too many tourists that are lost and looking down at a map.
Chuck was a good man and will be missed by everyone at work. He always tried to be a safe rider. There are too many on our roads who are doing something else besides driving. Please slow down! How much time do you gain by being in such a hurry that you endanger your life or someone else's. Wait till you are stopped (not on the roadway) before you use the phone or text. Common sense is a good thing.
My husband nearly died on a motorcycle about a year ago - I read this article to him in hopes that he will NEVER get another motorcycle - wish me luck!
You are very right lvnvjgo. Chuck was a very good man to be around with. We have lost what I feel as one of God's greastest crestions and I knew him only inside of work. So being the way he was with us at work I bet it was even better having him as a family member. A lot of us are very sadden by the lost of a great co-worker. Hopefully that maybe now with this horrific loss other people driving on the freeways and streets with be more aware of their surroundings of other drivers with many different ways of transportation. Open your eyes everyone and always look every which way. Maybe they should make it a law here like in California that you must wear a bluetooth while driving otherwise the police must issue tickets just like the seatbelt law.
STOP jumping to conclusions and blaming this man for an accident you know NOTHING about. I would trust a motorcycle rider WAY more then someone driving their car as they yack on the phone and stuff their faces with food and drink while driving below the speed limit in the number 1 lane and then cutting across multiple lanes to make the exit they almost missed because they were still looking for their favorite CD because they were just too damn lazy to take the next offramp and turn around. I personally have witnessed that scenerio numerous times. 99% of the people driving cars could not even pass a motorcyle driving and or written test because of the level of difficulty involved. I also believe it is dangerous if not ludicrous to allow semi trucks in the number 1 lane on a freeway. My condolences to the family, RIP.
Don't forget that 2 wrongs don't make a right... Just because someone posts something rude or inconsiderate doesn't mean family members should lash out and also act in an immature way, resorting to namecalling and so on.
It's about time they start using traffic cameras for the common good!! There's no reason for anyone to be able to get away with hit & run when there's a camera on every corner in this town!
While riding my motorcycle home on Tuesday on US 95/Trop, a sportbike passed me in the emergency lane going no less than 80-90 mph. I was driving 65 mph and riding like we're supposed to. There are good riders/drivers and idiots. Stop assuming the details everytime you hear about a motorcyclist going down and start paying more attention while driving. This isn't just a rider, it's somebody's friend, uncle, brother, father etc. Everytime I leave myself enough room to react, some moron comes along and closes the gap. BTW, I am a woman and women are notoriously UNaware of me and come right up on my butt at stops. To all the women drivers out there: stay off my *ss! MOST motorcyclists follow the rules and are much more aware than average drivers! Yes, there are motorcyclists that ride like idiots and die like idiots. They actually are a small percentage of fatalities on bikes. See for yourself-Google www.blacknailbrigade.com or how bout Phoenix motorcycle crash 3-25-10 and learn. My sympathy goes out to the friends and family of my fellow rider! May he ride Heaven's roads in peace!
To the Family & Friends...you all have yet another hurdle to face other than that of reading (& hearing) the rants of the people who are missing the bigger picture - loss. As I was at the park with my children, I received a text which was a photo of this accident. It was gruesome to say the least but I can almost bet others who saw may have done the same thing and snapped a photo. To have this in circulation worries me. NO ONE should have to see this including you (family & friends). Just be on the lookout...
Such a misleading headline!!! It wasn't a "hit-and-run" C'mon Tiffany and Editors! The motorcyclist ran into the back of another car and the police even say that the trucker may not have known the poor guy went underneath his wheels. Why do you guys have to sensationalize the headline? Shame on you!
Chunky says "No Bueno"
To those of you who sent thoughts and prayers to our family; Thank You. It means so much to us!!!! Please continue praying for his wife, daughter, and beautiful grandson who are lost at this time without him. This is traumatic enough for us without having to read peoples judgement of what is presumed to have happened. Nothing is more painful than to turn on the news and see your family member this way. We appreciate the hardwork by the police investigators. For the lady who states she received a picture of the accident on her phone, it makes me SICK to my stomach to think that this may be passed on; please let the person know who sent you this how HURTFUL, SICKENING, and INHUMANE they are to have passed it on. He is a husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, uncle, and friend to sooo many. WE LOVE YOU UNCLE CHUCK AND WILL MISS YOU!!!!
This goes out to jbonello...How should we act as a family that is going through having to read these comments from people like you and that "LOW LIFE SCUM BAG" that was sending pictures of the accident over the cell phone without any concern for the family and how the hell would you feel if it was YOUR HUSBAND, Dad, GRANDFATHER,Brother, or UNCLE. To all of you that had something hurtful to say concerning my Uncle Chuck......... Your chicken S#@*T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He will be missed tremendously. My heart breaks for Aunt Sue and Rae. God be with you and give you strength to make it through what seems impossible. I can't believe he's gone!! He's with grammie and my mom.
Vegas Smitty
This particular accident was a crime scene with a death due to it was a hit and run.Now for you to vent over traffic and how accidents are handled on the Interstate system here and this storey was about a person losing their life and to slander the law enforcment doing their job is very sleezy of you show respect
Buy life insurance if you ride in Vegas.
VegasSmitty: Why dont you leave the police work to the police and they will leave the stupid comment posting to you.
"How should we act as a family that is going through having to read these comments from people like you and that "LOW LIFE SCUM BAG" that was sending pictures of the accident over the cell phone without any concern for the family and how the hell would you feel if it was YOUR HUSBAND, Dad, GRANDFATHER,Brother, or UNCLE."
You should act with dignity and respect, to honor the memory of your loved one. Lashing out at me is tacky and classless, I said NOTHING insulting about your loved one, I just commented on some of the comments here.
If this was a member of my family I would be heartbroken and I would be doing all that I could to support the rest of my family that was suffering... I would not be on the internet battling it out with strangers...
In Massachusetts there are signs everywhere to watch for motorcycles. Automobile drivers do not respect motorcycles anywhere.
To Chuck's family, I am very sorry for your loss. I was privileged to work with Chuck for the past decade at the Venetian. I am very saddened that people feel the need to be so insensitive at this difficult time. I personally feel that during this time of grief you have every right to express your feelings, no matter what they are, but especially to express hurt and disgust with the way some people have chosen to attack you and and the circumstances of Chuck's death. I saw Chuck in the hallway just before he left work on Wednesday. He greeted me with his usual big smile and "hi sweetie". I wish I would have stopped to give him a hug, but I didn't. I hope that everyone will allow your family to grieve in peace. I know that Chuck was a good man, on his way home to see his wife after a long day at work. What happened on his way home was not the result of him being a reckless motorcyclist. It was a horrible and tragic accident. I will miss Chuck very much.
If you mess with the bull you're going to get the horns. My question is if this person had a family then why would he be riding a motorcycle in Las Vegas? This is absolutely terrible for his family and something that could have been completely prevented by just putting the bike away. This is a tragic event, but by no means is it surprising or shocking in this city. Just a matter of time.
Apparently he was not driving carefully enough.No disrespect intended.
fortunately they have it on video. video do not lied. i hope they catch who at fault. i drive that section between 2.30 and 4. those semi driver haul ass. they tail gate to.
i also notice some of the rider. shoot down the middle. is this legal in nevada. do any1 know
It is the same way in every city in the U.S. Stop-Gwak-Talk instead of clearing the problem and move on.
I still find it amazing that even a terrible ACCIDENT like this brings out the ugliest remarks form the ugliest people. Why would you put down in print, hateful remarks about someone dying just because he was on a motorcycle ? Please think before your fingers start typing.
Stevem-I am the wife of the deceased and a cyclist. Chuck had been riding motorcycles since age 15-1/2 when he got a dirt bike. This man was not only the love of my life, but I trusted him with my life while riding on the back of his bike for 33 years of marriage. I trusted him as a rider more than I trusted myself and I have been riding for 20+ years. He was one of the most (if not THE most) safe, courteous drivers I have ever known. He did not do wheelies, weave in and out of traffic or even split lanes when riding in California where it is legal. In fact, he used to get angry with the cyclists who did dumb things and made the law abiding cyclists look bad by association. Accidents happen and if some people had a compassionate bone in their body, they would think of our family and friends before making comments. And yes, Chuck's family and friends are extremely protective of him and especially sensitive at this time. To puddymissy-God has a plan for each of us and who are you to question God? BTW futurestia and lvbuilder, I too read many motorcycle fatality articles to my husband trying to get him to quit riding, but riding a bike was his passion. He just LOVED to ride and he rode virtually every day. Forcing him to quit riding would have been like imprisoning him and HIS wishes always came first to me. Life is far too short and each of us should be allowed to live and enjoy it as we desire without having restrictions forced on us by others. Thank you to everyone who sent the wonderful, heartfelt comments. I'm sure they made Chuck smile to know so many people cared and they are a great comfort to me. I LOVED HIM SOOO MUCH AND MISS HIM SO MUCH. MY HEART IS BROKEN.
I have to say, I'm totally amazed at the ignorance of some people and their posts. Listen up: we as riders of motorcycles know that there is risk involved so we watch for things you non-riders don't. We watch for debris in the road, cracks, rubber that is slick, oil that has leaked, gravel, water in gutters, people's heads turning, wheel movement to indicate lane changes. It's a full interactive experience. With that being said, we LOVE TO RIDE! We shouldn't have to feel like we're playing Frogger everytime we ride!!!! Stop blaming people for wanting to ride and start driving better!! To Chuck's family: Again, my sincere sympathy to you. I totally understand why he rode. Once you have the "bug", you just don't want to stop riding, something "cagers" will never understand. It's the feel, smell, freedom of the of the road that beckons us. Hopefully, something that I've said here will help you in some small way move through your grief. I grieve everytime I hear of a story like this.