The Highways of Calhoun County have claimed multiple motorcycles this summer in accidents generally caused by unfamiliarity with the winding roads that are often what attracts the bikers in the beginning. Today’s accident was likely unavoidable as many automobiles face the same demise with area deer bolting into the road, unseen until impact.
A 66 year old male driver hit a doe with his Harley Davidson Electric Glide, causing the bike to go down and slide several feet. It’s final stop was in the ditch-line along 33/119 east of Sandridge. He was traveling with four other Indiana friends who have been touring the highways of West Virginia on their bikes for the past five days and were heading home..
One of the other bikers said “they were grateful for West Virginia’s helmet law that likely prevented the accident from being far worse.” Calhoun EMS transported the injured biker who had road rash and other non life threatening injuries to Minnie Hamilton for evaluation. Thebike was towed by Westfall’s Wrecker Service. Trooper Brian Young of the West Virginia State Police was the investigating officers.
According to crashtats.nhtsa.dot.gov, in 2019 there were 5,014 motorcyclists killed, which accounted for 14 percent of traffic fatalities.
■ Per vehicle miles traveled in 2019, motorcyclist fatalities occurred nearly 29 times more frequently than passenger car occupant fatalities in traffic crashes.
■ Thirty percent of motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2019 were riding without valid motorcycle licenses.
■ In States without universal helmet laws, 57 percent of motorcyclists killed in 2019 were not wearing helmets, as compared to 9 percent in States with universal helmet laws.
