Lucky motorcyclist rolls to a stop
We receive press releases from a wide variety of sources, from the White House in Washington, D.C., to our neighbor’s house down the street, and everything in-between. Of course, not all of it pertains to our readers. Occasionally, something that has nothing to do with the Memo’s mission in Mid-County comes along that now, through our blog site and Twitter, we can share with you. Here it is, the press release from the Oregon State Police with a link to the video:
“An Oregon State Police in-car video of an incident that happened June 18th is being released after a motorcycle operator pled guilty to Careless Driving when he lost control and separated from his motorcycle.
“The in-car video caught the sliding motorcycle and rolling operator as both passed the trooper’s stopped patrol car along Interstate 84 in The Dalles.
“Following several recent serious injury and fatal traffic crashes, some involving motorcycles, the video is a great example of why it is so important to drive at the posted speed limits, to be aware of your surroundings and not be distracted. “It only takes a second for something to happen that you may have to react to while keeping your vehicle under control,” said OSP The Dalles Area Command Sergeant Pat Shortt.
“On June 18, 2009 at 7:18 a.m. OSP Senior Trooper Michael Holloran was sitting in his stopped OSP patrol car on the right eastbound shoulder of Interstate 84 near milepost 85 writing information in his notebook. With the patrol car’s radar unit on, Holloran heard an approaching fast vehicle and began to look in the side mirror when he saw a motorcycle lose control. The motorcycle dropped onto its side and the operator went down onto the pavement as the radar unit obtained a speed of 85 mph.
“The sliding motorcycle and rolling operator both went past the stationary patrol car and surprised trooper. Shortly after the motorcycle’s operator — Kenneth Theiman Jr., age 31, from Dallesport, Washington, — stopped rolling, Holloran got out of the patrol car and ran up to help Theiman as he was picking himself up off the pavement.
“Theiman told Holloran that he was surprised how quickly things happened when he lost control of the motorcycle. He said he thought his speed was about 85 mph when he lost control. Theiman was transported by ambulance to Mid-Columbia Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries, mostly abrasions. He was wearing a protective helmet.
Holloran cited Theiman for Careless Driving and he pled guilty in Wasco County Circuit Court.
“Note: there is no audio until the end of the 47 second video clip.”
