A group of about 20 Harley riders from Clarksville, TN, were riding from Beckley to Parkersburg today on South Calhoun Hwy, when one of the riders lost control while negotiating a curve in Chloe. Trooper Brian Young, investigating officer, stated that the bike slid off the roadway causing minor injuries to the rider and his wife.
Calhoun EMS transported both riders to Minnie Hamilton Health System to be checked out.
According to the West Virginia Department of Transportation’s website information motorcyclists are significantly overrepresented in traffic crashes and fatalities. Per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists are about 29 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash and are 4 times more likely to be injured.
In 2019, there were 5,014 motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes in the U.S., a decrease from 2018 (5,038). Motorcyclist deaths accounted for 14% of the total highway fatalities nationwide that year. In West Virginia, motorcyclist deaths accounted for 11% of the total roadway fatalities in 2019.
Both Motorcyclist and vehicle drivers are encouraged to use caution and awareness when driving the scenic highways of West Virginia. Calhoun has had multiple motorcycle accidents this season with only 1 month into the Summer of 2022.
