I'm still a little shook-up and I just finished re-writing my witness statement that I gave four hours ago to the GA State Troopers.

I was up on Blood Mountain coming back from a round-trip run on Route 129 (also named route 19 and route 11 here). I was about three mile away from Turner's Corner, so most of the fun twisties had subsided. About 400 feet in front of me were two cars that I was was catching up to. We were approaching a right-hand curve that nobody would need brakes for. Traffic was flowing at about 45mph (or so).

Coming already through this curve, but northbound, were a group of 5-6 motorcycles, then a gap of 3-4 seconds, then a single motorcycle. The single rider took this curve too wide and ran slightly off the shoulder of the road. I noticed a puff of dirt going into the air. The rider apparently struggled to regain control, and then shot back onto the road surface at a higher rate of speed and diagonally across the lane. Still not under control, the motorcycle continued to cross over the northbound lane and then head-on into a small silver car that was one vehicle ahead of me on the southbound side of things.

I was able to stop abruptly (thank you ABS), and the car in front of me was able to skid to a stop without hitting the silver car in front of them. The single motorcycle flipped end over end before spinning on its side and came to rest about 200 feet past the collision and into a creek beside the roadway.

The 5-6 six motorcycles had not noticed or stopped for the accident. Then showed back up at the scene about 15 minutes later. The female rider had died instantly and was part of a group of friends that were simply out for a ride (like we all do).

Without graphic description, the female's half-helmet had left her head, as did both her half-boots, and one glove.

Myself and another women from a northbound car were first to the side of the female rider. Seconds later we had lots of good Samaritans on scene, with about half of them getting sick on the shoulder of the road. It was very bad to see.

We covered the body with a blanket that someone had, and uncounted calls into 911 eventually brought a couple of State Troopers, a Sheriff's deputy, and rescue units.

I was there for about 3 hours giving statements, and consoling the riders who came back looking for their friend. There were spontaneous prayers being said, and kind folks were handing out power-bars and bottled water to anyone who wanted/needed something.

The group of us who were witnesses, the good samaritans who stuck it out, those who helped with directing traffic before the state took over, and the friends of the fallen rider were all escorted away from the scene in which ever direction they needed to go while everything else stayed motionless.

The body remained covered and crews were putting up a tent around the body when I rode off. I stopped at Turner's Corner and smoked about 10 cigarettes and counted my blessings before riding home.

As a family, let us be thankful for our friends; as friends, let's be thoughtful for those who fall around us.

 

i wish that kind of thing on no-one to see... sorry you had to wittness it... just a moment of silence from me to all

 

The young girlfriend/boyfriend in the brand-new silver car were unhurt physically. The car barley lurched after impact with the motorcycle. Their airbags and side curtains deployed and they were wearing their seat belts.

The car (I assume) was totaled. Not much of a front-end left on the car. The engine was off it motor mounts and it was leaking coolant and oil.

They never saw the motorcycle until it hit them. That is all they kept saying. "It hit ME!". "Why did this happen?". They were in obvious shock and they were shivering from the adrenalin rush. They never hit their brakes and they didn't swerve.

Poor folks were from out of town so they eventually started to be concerned about what they would need to do next, and where to do it.

A Sheriff's deputy mentioned that they would get a ride and get local knowledge assistance. EMS folks spent a lot of time trying to get them convinced to go to a hospital.

They young couple were still there when I left the scene.

 

Very sad. Having investigated accidents like that makes me much more conscious of my surroundings while riding today. I would never want anyone to have to see things like you did. Good for you to keep it together like that.

 

sorry you had to witness this, prayers and good wishes for all those involved and for you.

 

Prayers for all involved. Understand you being shaken up.

 

So sorry that all of that happened. Thank you for stopping and doing all that you did. Best wishes to you and all that were involved. May that poor girl rest in peace.

 

Sorry to hear... I was involved in a similar incident (not a fatality) last year here in Central Florida... Group of us riding along and one straggler who did not make a corner and went off the road, totaled a brand new Harley and was taken to the hospital with numerous injuries including sever lacerations to the face... The group, motoring along having fun on a twisty road was apparently going too fast for one (less experienced) rider who fell back and was trying desperately to catch up when they miscalculated the turn... In hindsight, I wish we had noticed and stopped/slowed... From then on, when I see this scenario unfolding, I view it as a potential accident (a link in the chain) and I drop back to stay with them and ride at their pace...

My heart goes out to all involved...

 

Paul,
Hope I never see anything like that. It's sad enough to have to read about it.

 

They are difficult images to get out of your head. You sound like you kept your head on pretty straight.