This appeared in our local newspaper as it was quoted from a local reporter. The auto driver was just 17 and the cyclist 52. Lots of ruin lives here, I just wish states could do something to improve the way people get driver's license, like more driving experience. Driving schools need to improve their programs too. In this area it's out of control with little or no law enforcement.



Cyclist dies in Dracut crash
By JACK MINCH , Sun Staff



DRACUT -- A Lowell motorcyclist died after a collision with a sport-utility vehicle at one of the busiest intersections in Collinsville yesterday morning, police said.

Roger Richards, 55, of 1202 Varnum Ave., was taken to Lowell General Hospital where he was pronounced dead, said Deputy Police Chief David Chartrand.

Police ticketed Kenneth Gately, 17, of 167 Lakeshore Drive for a misdemeanor charge of motor-vehicle homicide by negligent operation and failing to yield to oncoming traffic while making a left-hand turn.

"It's just a terrible situation all around," Chartrand said.

Richards was riding a 2005 Honda Shadow northbound on Mammoth Road and Gately was southbound in a 1997 Ford Explorer but trying to make a left-hand turn onto Lakeview Avenue toward the high school about 7:07 a.m., police said.

A witness told police the traffic light at the intersection was yellow when the motorcycle and Ford collided.

"Whenever you're making a left-hand turn into an intersecting way, it's your responsibility to yield to oncoming traffic," Chartrand said.

It's a busy intersection in the mornings and afternoons while commuters make their way to and from work, he said.

"I would say for the amount of traffic that goes through there we don't have an exorbitant amount of collisions there," Chartrand said. "We do have collisions there periodically but I wouldn't classify it as a huge problem."

 

May God watch after him and give him lots of curvy roads to enjoy.....

 

That's just sad.

 

Prayers for his family and friends.

... and a turd pie again for the failings of proper punishment for the murderer.

 

So tragic, ours prays go out to the family and freinds

 

That is a shame.

One thing really stood out to me.

Never thought I would see the day that any form of homicide would be classified as a misdemeanor.

 

A man dies, but... not a huge problem!!!

 

Stood out to me as well.

 

I have always seen driving a car to be EXACTLY like shooting a gun...

Just making a mistake might be a misdemeanor...

Just making a mistake which results in the death of another person... is NOT an accident... it IS a FELONY!!!
And should be considered so by LAW!!![:@]

Jim aka kiltiemon

 

We had one similar to this in town a couple of months ago. Guy from Valporaiso out for a ride decides to make a left turn off of 421 to go to the Harley shop but gets stopped at the light before making the turn. A kid in a Suburban barrels thru the light and hits the biker from behind killing him instantly. Kid doesn't even get a ticket. Nothing. 3 weeks later there is an article in the paper that an underaged drinking party got busted and the kid driving the Suburban is one of them. He must have been really broken up seeing as he killed an innocent man just a few weeks earlier and got away with not so much as a ticket. I now go completely out of my way to avoid that intersection because of crap like this. Kid ruined that guys family seeing as he left behind a wife and a couple very young kids. Very sad how bikers are thought of as disposable in todays driving world. I love the attitude of he took the risk of driving a bike so he got what he deserved.