http://www.wmur.com/news/27884404/detail.html

William Hawksley, 45, of Brentwood, was riding his Kawasaki to work when he tried to pass Eller on Windham Road in Pelham, police said. Investigators said in court paperwork that Eller stepped on the gas and crossed the double yellow line to hit the motorcycle.

"I think it's a prime case of road rage," said Lt. Gary Fisher. "Mr. Eller admitted to the officer he made some sort of comment that he wasn't going to allow the motorcycle to pass him, and he tried to force him off the road."



I've experienced this a couple of times in the last two years myself, only I was lucky enough to avoid crashing. Honestly, I think people like this should be executed on the side of the road and left to rot.

Can't say I blame ya for feeling that way.
(I'm betting if it was an 18 wheeler that had passed him in the no passing zone, he would have let it go)

I had a car try to run me off the road a few years ago. I was on a divided highway, just cruising along, when a car next to me just flew over right in front of me, then nailed his brakes. No traffic or need to stop. I braked and swerved, and avoided. I was confused, as I was not driving aggressively, and cannot think of doing anything another driver might have been irritated with. Maybe I accidentally cut him off but it was still a dangerous, and uncalled for reaction.

If that is how that driver is, then he will eventually wreck himself. I just hope he doesn't hurt anyone else with his rage.

no way will I let you get somewhere else before me!

quote Originally posted by JazzMan: http://www.wmur.com/news/27884404/detail.html William Hawksley, 45, of Brentwood, was riding his Kawasaki to work when he tried to pass Eller on Windham Road in Pelham, police said. Investigators said in court paperwork that Eller stepped on the gas and crossed the double yellow line to hit the motorcycle.

And what was the motorcyclist doing trying to pass on a double yellow anyway?

------------------
Nick www.naskie18.com GoogleTalk: naskie18 AIM: naskie18

quote Originally posted by JazzMan: Honestly, I think people like this should be executed on the side of the road and left to rot.

For once

quote Originally posted by naskie18: And what was the motorcyclist doing trying to pass on a double yellow anyway?

come on laws are for everone but bikes . i can even count how many times bikes fly on the shoulder when rush hour or between cars on the white line . the guy was totally wrong but i do get pissed when bikes dont feel they have to listen to the laws EVERYONE HAS TO NOT JUST CARS

I've been passed a few times by a bike. They pull some things. I always put myself a great distance from bikes.....you just never know what'll happen.

Why have road rage against a bike? Everytime one passes I'm a little envious.

quote Originally posted by fierobrian: come on laws are for everone but bikes . i can even count how many times bikes fly on the shoulder when rush hour or between cars on the white line . the guy was totally wrong but i do get pissed when bikes dont feel they have to listen to the laws EVERYONE HAS TO NOT JUST CARS

I drive on I-465 every day to and from work and most of the stretch I travel is under construction. 3 lanes wide, sometimes as many as 7 depending on exit ramps and such and, just yesterday, I saw a car running no less than 80( I was running with what little traffic there was at 60) cross over onto the inside shoulder and pass a full sized pickup and almost run over the small car that was in front of the truck.

Inconsiderate pricks are relegated to just motorcycles.

quote Originally posted by Pyrthian: no way will I let you get somewhere else before me!

If you think you can beat me to the next red light, you're sorely mistaken! I'll be the first to stop, not you!

quote Originally posted by fierobrian: come on laws are for everone but bikes . i can even count how many times bikes fly on the shoulder when rush hour or between cars on the white line . the guy was totally wrong

But, I'm not confident the guy was wrong. I've seen the same thing happen with cars (either passing on the shoulder or passing on the double yellow), and if my truck was nearing the end of its age, I wouldn't necessarily be opposed to pulling out in front of one of them, either, and hoping for the best.

How can you be at fault for an accident if the other driver involved had no right to be where he was when you struck him? Give 'em both tickets for whatever the legal definition of crossing on a double yellow is and we'll all move on.

[EDIT]
Now, had it been in a passing zone, that'd be a whole different story.....

[This message has been edited by naskie18 (edited 05-17-2011).]

quote Originally posted by naskie18: And what was the motorcyclist doing trying to pass on a double yellow anyway?

Read the full article, the police don't believe he was making an illegal pass.

Nonetheless, I can think of zero circumstances where it's ok to deliberately hit a motorcyclist with one's car.

How many times do you think he'll try to pass during a double yellow again?

quote Originally posted by JazzMan: Read the full article, the police don't believe he was making an illegal pass.

I did, and I still don't see where it says that. If you could point it out to me, I'd have more sympathy to the motorcyclist.

quote Originally posted by naskie18: But, I'm not confident the guy was wrong. I've seen the same thing happen with cars (either passing on the shoulder or passing on the double yellow), and if my truck was nearing the end of its age, I wouldn't necessarily be opposed to pulling out in front of one of them, either, and hoping for the best. How can you be at fault for an accident if the other driver involved had no right to be where he was when you struck him? Give 'em both tickets for whatever the legal definition of crossing on a double yellow is and we'll all move on. [EDIT] Now, had it been in a passing zone, that'd be a whole different story.....

really? an "illegal pass" is worth killing someone over? I dont mind a ticket for crossing the dbl yellow - yes - no biggie there. But, to have you life actually threatened, and very very good chance of death?

and, how can you be at fault for hitting someone who had no right to be where they were? simple - the same "non" right to be there applied to BOTH people. could not have hit that person without violating that same dbl yellow. so, that removes traffic law entirely, and leaves nothing but raw assault. with a deadly weapon, no less.

quote Originally posted by naskie18: I did, and I still don't see where it says that. If you could point it out to me, I'd have more sympathy to the motorcyclist.

My mistake, that was in another article about the same event:

http://www.unionleader.com/...513/NEWS03/110519957

Pelham police Lt. Gary Fisher said Friday that investigators believe Hawksley was in a legal passing zone at the time of the crash.

Though I still contend, there is no excuse or justification for this:

As Hawksley attempted to pass Eller’s Ford Fusion, Eller allegedly crossed into the northbound lane, nearly forcing the motorcycle off the road, said Pelham police prosecutor Dennis Mannion Friday morning.

Eller’s car then allegedly struck Hawksley on the right side, fracturing Hawksley’s leg in several places, said Mannion. Hawksley was taken to Parkland Medical Center in Derry where he awaited surgery Friday, he said.

I don't care how much of an ******* the rider may have been, there is zero justification for what the driver did. Because once there is some justification, then it becomes open-season on motorcyclists across this nation.

I don't care how big an ass a motorcyclist is being, it doesn't justify someone going out of their way to purposely take them out. Get a grip, people.
Now... If someone pulls out of a side street going the other direction, it's on the biker. Sorry. Although you would hope that they would notice beforehand.

And yeah... I have been known to pass on a double yellow, if I can do it safely. And I don't even ride a bike.

(I'm really not a maniac. The roads around here go straight for... ever. They put double yellows everywhere, whether it would be safe to pass or not. In fact, many of the places used to be passing zones.)

The kid got off with a slap on the wrist, he should have been charged with attempted murder.

IMO that was attempted murder or at least assault with a deadly weapon. I hope that SOB that did that gets a long time in jail.

Felony assault, and with his admission of guilt to the officers and the circumstances he's sure to get some jail time. At least there's that much. Sadly, his insurance company (assuming he even had insurance) will likely deny the rider's medical claims because the kid was committing a crime. Rider's probably looking at a hundred thousand in medical and rehab costs. Kid's judgment-proof, I bet.

Heh, here a few weeks ago a motorcyclist had a car pull out in front of him.

The news story on facebook had a page of "cars need to watch for motorcycles" from viewers.

Then it came out that the motorcycle was riding wheelies, and had been speeding.

The news never reported that part, they didn't release the tickets that the motorcyclist got, or that the driver of the car didn't get any tickets.

They didn't say anything about the people that witnessed the motorcyclist breaking the law.

Looking on facebook at the people that were screaming the loudest about the "evil cars" all of them were sport bike riders, or had their hands in that industry in some way.

Never did the news say anything else about what really happened.

And anyone that said anything about the motorcyclist was just an A$#hole.

I'm sick of crotch rockets, I don't see a need to try and hit them though, they do enough damage to themselves without outside help.

Brad

quote Originally posted by twofatguys: Heh, here a few weeks ago a motorcyclist had a car pull out in front of him. The news story on facebook had a page of "cars need to watch for motorcycles" from viewers. Then it came out that the motorcycle was riding wheelies, and had been speeding. The news never reported that part, they didn't release the tickets that the motorcyclist got, or that the driver of the car didn't get any tickets. They didn't say anything about the people that witnessed the motorcyclist breaking the law. Looking on facebook at the people that were screaming the loudest about the "evil cars" all of them were sport bike riders, or had their hands in that industry in some way. Never did the news say anything else about what really happened. And anyone that said anything about the motorcyclist was just an A$#hole. I'm sick of crotch rockets, I don't see a need to try and hit them though, they do enough damage to themselves without outside help. Brad

As a former OTR driver, I'm sure you know the same thing happens about truckers, only the truckers are the ones always at fault. Seriously.

There're ads on the radio all the time here about accident injury lawyers and more than a few specifically mention truck accidents and how they can get you big money if you've been injured in a truck accident. (of course they don't say that exactly, but the legally neutral way they say it says it for them.)

Ok so the guy in the car is a sick ****, but how stupid is the motorcycle guy? Why would you get in dick slinging contest with someone who is surrounded by 2 tons of steel?
Not saying the biker deserved to be run off, but he wasn't thinking all that much either.

A typical passing lane on Windham Road.

I still don't see how Eller could cross the double yellow while Hawksley was passing him if Hawksley was in a legal passing zone.
Hawksley would have to be to Eller's left when Eller crossed the double yellow, meaning Hawksley was in the oncoming traffic lane against the double yellow.

No, it doesn't excuse Eller's actions. Period. Just trying to understand the info we're given in the articles.

Im perfectly fine with motorcycles white-lining during stop and go traffic. For one, a lot of air cooled bikes will overeat in traffic. Also, it isn't safe to be in stop and go traffic on a motorcycle. Its like standing between cars in traffic. Too easy for an inattentive driver to loose track of the bike and forget it is there when scooting up.

Not to mention 190 degrees between the knees! Not so bad on my aircooled bikes, but my KZ1000 ... talk about roasted nuts!

It is no way, never, EVER excusable for ANY reason to deliberately take out another human being with a 2 ton automobile.
If that were me, getting out of the hospital would be the beginning of a deadly vendetta. Total BS, I don't care what the biker was doing in that other lane. He posed no threat to the auto. If I'm that biker, I am one pissed MFer.

The first rule of driving is not staying under the speed limit, it's not making sure anyone else follows the rules... it's avoiding an accident when possible at all costs.

For those that say they would pull out in front of someone like that on purpose.. you aren't following that rule. And that may cause someone their death someday. You would hurt someone over that?

Honestly, if someone is riding a bike behind me on a clear day on a windy road, and I can imagine they are having a blast, I'm going to let them get in front of me so they have a clear route. No sense in me ruining their fun.

Isn't the whole purpose of driving to avoid accidents and not to contribute to them?

quote Originally posted by avengador1: Isn't the whole purpose of driving to avoid accidents and not to contribute to them?

Yes, driving is a social exercise. The intent is for everyone to cooperate and work together such that everyone gets to where they are going safely. The problems start when people get a competitive mindset and ignore the social aspects of this social activity. Once it become a race where getting there first is more important than the safety of others it becomes a Darwinian exercise with a trail of losers in the form of broken bodies and bent metal leading up to the "winners".

I had an old guy do this BS to me, he didn't want me, it seemed, to go the posted speed limit, despite good weather and good visibility. I made an illegal pass, and then he rammed me, which spun him out. His car was totalled, and he went to the hospital. The judge ruled in his favor. Live and learn, and as is to be expected in modern America, suffer for other people's mistakes.
Another time, a few years before that, in the same county, an old man not doing the speed limit decided to speed up while I was passing in a V8 Camaro. I hit my nitrous button, and that was the end of that. He slowed back down, I continued on, no real problem for either of us.
Slow drivers should be happy when the speed freaks pass. Now that I'm very mature, I prefer to let them go tailgate whomever's slow on ahead of me.

....otherwise powerless people get a small moment where they can excercise power over another.....

quote Originally posted by JazzMan: open-season on motorcyclists across this nation.

Iv got my huntin hat on, and my brush guard ready!

What happened to innocent until proven guilty? Why do some assume the car instigated the whole incident?
I had a bicyclist hit my G6 as I was turning left into a parking lot. He was flying down the street while traffic was at a dead stop. There was no way for me to see him but I bet most would think he was the victim of the accident, he actually got up and apologized. I initially felt bad because I thought he might be hurt. Thankfully I didn't say I'm sorry or anything and he didn't try to blame me for it.
All this garbage about cars needing to watch out for bikers. When did they stop teaching bikers that they are hard for cars to see and are more vulnerable and should therefore be extremely cautious around cars, not passing aggressively.

quote Originally posted by Scottzilla79: What happened to innocent until proven guilty? Why do some assume the car instigated the whole incident? I had a bicyclist hit my G6 as I was turning left into a parking lot. He was flying down the street while traffic was at a dead stop. There was no way for me to see him but I bet most would think he was the victim of the accident, he actually got up and apologized. I initially felt bad because I thought he might be hurt. Thankfully I didn't say I'm sorry or anything and he didn't try to blame me for it. All this garbage about cars needing to watch out for bikers. When did they stop teaching bikers that they are hard for cars to see and are more vulnerable and should therefore be extremely cautious around cars, not passing aggressively.

This topic is about a young man who intentionally used his vehicle as a weapon to break another man's leg in several places and cause him to crash. He freely admitted doing so to the police and witnesses. The distribution of fault and guilt in this case is 100%-0%, and will remain so no matter how it's looked at. In every state of this union and in many, if not most, civilized nations in this world the use of deadly force, and this most definitely falls into that definition, is limited to mainly self-defense and sometimes defense of property. Neither applied in this case as the rider was not threatening the driver nor the vehicle. It's best to not be on the wrong side of this issue as well.

I didn't notice the confession part, even still, he could always recant his confession and plead not guilty couldn't he? just saying. Innocent until proven guilty right?
Anyway this is just like any other confrontation, that biker's legs wouldn't be broken if he just let it go and just waited or got off the road, or called the police, he had options.

quote Originally posted by Scottzilla79: I didn't notice the confession part, even still, he could always recant his confession and plead not guilty couldn't he? just saying. Innocent until proven guilty right? Anyway this is just like any other confrontation, that biker's legs wouldn't be broken if he just let it go and just waited or got off the road, or called the police, he had options.

Really? Seriously? The car swerves into the rider and shatters his leg, and at that point he should have let it go? From the way I read the article, the whole confrontation started at the moment the driver hit the rider. And in any case, blaming the victim for "having brought it upon himself" is a faulty argument. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victim_blaming

Yes, Seriously. I didn't say that meant he was innocent, but that legally, until he plead guilty he was. People have confessed to crimes and been later acquitted for various reasons.
Obviously the article is not telling us all the details. The charges and penalty sound pretty weak if you ask me. Maybe because the biker did something to escalate the situation, or maybe because he's a rich white kid, or maybe because he's shown some contrition, who knows.
We can only speculate!
Am I blaming the victim? Well I guess that's a black and white way of looking at it. Only one person is to blame?
Did the victim deserve what happened? No.
Could the victim have possibly avoided what happened? Maybe.

quote Originally posted by Scottzilla79: Could the victim have possibly avoided what happened? Maybe.

/Troll hat on

Must've been riding a 250

/troll hat off

I see he was on a 1400 - and he couldn't "power out" of the situation? Circumstances beyond his control, eh? Bike size irrelevant to this instance?

Stupid brat should be flogged 7 times for every piece of bone that isn't in the right place in the biker's leg. License taken away for a minimum of 5 years, and proper assault with a deadly weapon charges put on his record. The law doesn't give a damn if you "weren't thinking" at the time, you have to deal with the consequences. If this guy is really hurting for money because he lost his job, he should sell off his $20,000 car. Wait, now that is evidence in a crime, right? Too bad.