Vehicle accidents can leave victims with serious injuries and may even result in deaths. Motorcycle accidents often result in even more severe injuries than those involving cars or trucks due to the lack of safety features protecting riders. An accident that killed two motorcyclists and left four injured on a Pennsylvania roadway last year is now going to court, and a man is facing vehicular homicide charges.
According to an affidavit in the case, a retired police officer failed to navigate a turn in the road on July 1, 2011, slamming into seven motorcycles in the opposite lane on state Route 512 in Bangor, Pennsylvania. The retired officer’s attorneys argued that complications from a 2008 surgery that causes low blood sugar led to the blackout that caused the accident.
The officer is charged with two counts of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence. Other charges, including reckless endangerment, were also included.
The motorcyclists were part of the Last Chance Motorcycle Club, an organization devoted to supporting reformed substance abusers. They were en route to a wake for a club member when the accident occurred.
Alcohol is only one factor that can lead to negligent driving and severe injuries or death, but it is ultimately preventable. It’s unknown if the man was telling the truth about his 2008 surgery, but he never should have made the choice to get behind the wheel after drinking. It’s sad that men who chose to change their lives for the better were killed by someone doing the same bad behavior that they gave up.
Source: MyCentralJersey.com, “Retired Plainfield cop denies being drunk in violent PA wreck that killed two, injured four,” Dec. 7, 2012