Rossmeyer Accident Report
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
Offical press release not accident report
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,779
Likes: 71
According to CBS4 of south Florida, the Wyoming State Patrol says Rossmeyer was trying to pass a pickup pulling a trailer about 18 miles east of Farson. Sgt. Stephen Townsend says the truck driven by 73-year-old Robert VanValkenburg of Rock Springs was turning left onto a dirt road when the collision occurred.
Townsend says VanValkenburg had his left-turn signal on. Rossmeyer was thrown from the motorcycle and landed under the trailer. He was not wearing a helmet. No other motorcycles were involved in the crash.
73 yr old driver, like I said I wasnt there...........
Townsend says VanValkenburg had his left-turn signal on. Rossmeyer was thrown from the motorcycle and landed under the trailer. He was not wearing a helmet. No other motorcycles were involved in the crash.
73 yr old driver, like I said I wasnt there...........
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: Smithfield, NC
Sorry to hear this. Just goes to show we all need to be careful out there, and yes, wear helmets. Guess we'll never know, but sounds like he was just a little to anxious to catch up to his friends and made a bad mistake passing a rig that was probably frustrating him by slowing down.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 656
Likes: 0
From: gone
He was passing a truck with a tandem axle trailer. How long before or after the truck started to turn did he pull out to pass? Was the blinker on when he pulled out to pass? Those are the questions I have and I find the report inconclusive without witness statements.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 724
Likes: 0
From: Southern Most tip of Texas
I believe I read in another post - or at a link within one - that he was 5th in a line of 6 bikes. The first 4 bikes passed without incident in the same manner and when Rossmeyer went to pass, the guy turned. The 6th guy saw the wreck and got heavy on the brakes to avoid it. I know the driver of the truck had the right away, but curious, after seeing 4 bikes fly by you, why wouldn't you look for a fifth? Right or wrong, it's still sad and a reminder to be vigilant, because you are the only one that's looking out for you out there.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
From: Twin Cities
It's too bad he wasn't a little more patient with the vehicle in front of him as it was turning off the road anyway. I try not to be in a hurry on a bike, good things seldom happen because of it.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 7
From: The Great Northwest
Sad and tragic. We may never know exactly what really happened. That 6th bike probably is the best witness.
But a truck pulling a trailer down a highway should have had his left turn signal on way in advance of turning left onto a dirt road. Also, the truck and trailer should have had to slow down quite a lot before ever beginning a left turn onto a dirt road. Hard to believe that any experienced rider would pass on the left if the signal was already blinking on a slowing vehicle.
It is not and never will be my place to judge, but my humble opinion is that the 73 year old driver did not use his turn signal properly, if at all.
But a truck pulling a trailer down a highway should have had his left turn signal on way in advance of turning left onto a dirt road. Also, the truck and trailer should have had to slow down quite a lot before ever beginning a left turn onto a dirt road. Hard to believe that any experienced rider would pass on the left if the signal was already blinking on a slowing vehicle.
It is not and never will be my place to judge, but my humble opinion is that the 73 year old driver did not use his turn signal properly, if at all.
Last edited by Clint55; Jul 31, 2009 at 08:27 PM.
