When people talk about motorcycle safety, they often emphasize the fact that it is up to motorcycle riders to drive defensively and anticipate the actions of other motorists. Unfortunately, however, there is only so much that any motorcyclist can do to prevent being involved in a serious accident. Every year, Massachusetts motorcycle riders and passengers are seriously injured and killed in collisions that are not their fault.
Two motorcycles were recently struck by a vehicle in Brookline, Massachusetts. The 41-year-old driver of the vehicle reportedly hit the motorcycles after he crossed the centerline of the road, entering their lane of traffic. Alcohol and/or drugs were not believed to be a factor in the collision, but law enforcement investigators were still attempting to determine why the collision occurred. One possibility was that the driver of the car was attempting to pass a vehicle when he crossed lanes.
While the operator of the car involved in the collision was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at an area hospital, three other people lost their lives as a result of the incident. The two operators of the motorcycles struck by the car died in the accident. The third accident victim was a passenger on one of the motorcycles. She was from Australia and later succumbed to her injuries at a Worcester hospital. One of the motorcycle riders killed in the crash had yet to be identified.
There was no word on whether or not the driver of the vehicle would face criminal charges for his involvement in the multi-fatality accident.
Source: WMUR.com, “Motorcycle passenger in Brookline crash dies,” Kirk Enstrom, July 16, 2015.