Last Thursday during an accompaniment for an active duty fallen hero, by the San Diego area Patriot Guard, we had a rider go down hard. We need your thoughts and prayers for this Patriot Guard Rider.

We had a fairly large procession, proceeding North on San Diego I-805. We were riding in staggered formation passing through a congested area, when due to reasons not totally known, the procession had a hard slow down. One of the riders was unable to stop, and first struck one rider, then another. The first rider struck was able to maintain control of his bike. But the second struck rider went down. The rider that was unable to stop, did not crash but suffered a broken arm in several places that required surgery. The rider that went down unfortunately had significant injuries including a broken left collar bone, broke all the ribs on his left side, and a brain bleed. He also has unspecified back injuries. He is still in ICU, and under heavy morphine. The latest update, is that the brain bleed has stopped, but he is still in serious condition.

The attached picture, is not what you want to have happen in a mission. Today, we had a Ride Captains meeting, to develop a plan to ensure this never happens again.

The severely injured rider's name is Gary. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers for a speedy and complete recovery.

 

Terrible. So sorry to hear this. Thoughts and prayers to the injured for speedy recovery.

 

I would sure like to know what the Captains come up with for a cure for this. We have had a few close calls here also. Mostly from a second of inattention. I don't like tight formation above 25mph.
Our prayers are with Gary & everyone.

 

Always hard to learn of these things, it's far worse when those involved are fellow members of the same organization. Best of luck to Russ and Gary on full and speedy recoveries...
Looking forward to reading the outcome of the Ride Captains meeting.

 

Damn...bad deal. Thoughts/prayers continue for Gary & his family. Heal well!

 

In another discussion with PGR members, it seams the third bike behind the group, not a PGR rider that started the event, now being called a Hit and Run by the CHP...

 

riding in formation - side by side or staggered takes 100% concentration and PRACTICE and more PRACTICE> I rode with www.rftw.org in 2010,2011 & 2012 - Central group - side by side for 3000 miles.... not easy and ONLY for those that know how to ride in formation.
MY heart goes out to the riders HIT> for all three but really feel for that that did nothing.

IF that rider was NOT part of the Mission - then that is where the road captains come into play... they are our guardian angles.

 

Hate to hear this but glad everyone still on this side of the ground. I lost a friend, not a close one but still, Friday night in a crash.

Rode a large PGR mission Sunday. 74 bike formation, definitely a time to be on your toes.

 

I have had six, SIX local riders go down in crashes since May. One is still in the hospital, and will never fully recover. The rider who went down in May is still not back to work.

Every single one, just like the crash in this thread, involved following too closely, inattention, lack of skill, or some combination of all three.

Hope the rider recovers.

 

Speedy recovery to all injured riders!