Motorcyclist suffers critical injuries after colliding with Volvo Thursday
Pittsfield Township police have released more information on the collision between a motorcycle and car on Carpenter Road Thursday afternoon that critically injured a 44-year-old township man.
The motorcyclist was southbound on Carpenter Road just south of Packard Road at 3:45 p.m. Thursday in the through lane when a 51-year-old Adrian woman driving a 2008 Volvo pulled out in front of him, according to a police statement. The woman was making a left turn out of a parking lot to head north on Carpenter.
The traffic in the southbound curb lane had stopped to allow the woman to turn and she continued to drive into the through lane, the statement read. The 44-year-old Pittsfield Township man could not stop in time and was thrown from the 2001 Harley Davidson, landing in the roadway, according to the statement.
Pittsfield Township Deputy Police Chief Gordy Schick said Thursday the man was wearing a helmet and that decision likely saved his life. It’s no longer illegal in Michigan for motorcyclists to ride without a helmet.
Pittsfield Township firefighters and Huron Valley Ambulance personnel treated the man on scene, according to Pittsfield Township Fire Chief Sean Gleason. The man had head and leg injuries, Gleason said.
The man was taken to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. The woman suffered no injuries.
Alcohol and drugs do not appear to be factors in the crash, according to the statement.
View 2012 Washtenaw County Traffic Reports in a larger map
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
John Hritz
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 2:58 a.m.
Deleting a fair critique of a poorly written headline when the article states that "a 51-year-old Adrian woman driving a 2008 Volvo pulled out in front of him, according to a police statement" seems excessive. Motorcyclist suffers critical injuries after colliding with Volvo Thursday should be Driver's failure to yield critically injures motorcyclist As always, my question is, "Was the Volvo driver cited for causing this injury accident?"
newsboy
Sat, Jun 30, 2012 : 1:10 p.m.
My thoughts and prayers for this unfortunate man and his family.
Chase Ingersoll
Sat, Jun 30, 2012 : 12:39 p.m.
The comments to this article demonstrate the critical thinking abilities of these readers and would be of significant contribution to any driver improvement course.
63Townie
Sat, Jun 30, 2012 : 12:30 p.m.
Left-hand turns shouldn't be allowed onto Carpenter at the gas station or the furthest north exit of the mall. Make people go to the light like Craig Lounsbury already wisely does.
Jen
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 6:49 p.m.
http://www.annarbor.com/news/opinion/good-samaritan-left-turn-crashes/
Sieben 7
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 6:46 p.m.
I think if the year and make of the car involved is pertinent then the model and make of the motorcycle are equally important. Was this a Honda Gold Wing or Sport bike or a 200cc dirt bike? Inquiring minds want to know.
Matt Cooper
Sat, Jun 30, 2012 : 3:35 a.m.
The man was thrown from his motorcycle and seriously injured. What diff. does it make what size, make or model the bike was? A broken leg is a broken leg no matter the size of the bike.
Sieben 7
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 8:11 p.m.
Excuse me!
alarictoo
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 6:58 p.m.
Try actually reading the article, and not just the headline. The make of the bike is in there.
Jake
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 6:53 p.m.
The 44-year-old Pittsfield Township man could not stop in time and was thrown from the 2001 Harley Davidson, landing in the roadway, according to the statement.
KMHall
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 3:53 p.m.
Sounds like this was a doomed situation, but as a former biker, I learned that one has to drive so defensibly. The size of a bike is so different from that of a car some drivers can't perceive the distance or the speed. Many people have been hurt because of a car turning left even on two-lane streets.
johnnya2
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 10:03 p.m.
I am not a motorcyclist, but this is definitely a point of contention with me. I also think motorcyclist need to realize that they need to not weave in an out of traffic to get to where they are going, just because they have a smaller footprint on the road. I have seen at least 50 people riding without helmets over the last few weeks and just do not get it. I hope the insurance companies do something like they did with seat belts. Give riders a discount who vow to use helmets. Those that end up getting in accidents where they are not wearing them will be financially responsible. I am forced to wear a seat belt in a car weighing over a ton, while a motorcyclist can wear a bikini and no helmet. Your family will not be consoled when the police knock on the door to announce your death and say, well at least it was not his fault.
Henry Ruger
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 3:32 p.m.
This was well put: "It's no longer illegal in Michigan for motorcyclists to ride without a helmet." It's not illegal, but I'm glad the article didn't say it's "legal," considering that the laws of physics haven't changed.
AlwaysLate
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 3 p.m.
This accident demonstrates exactly why I never stop the flow of traffic to let people out of parking lots, gas stations, driveways, etc.... In almost every case the person entering the flow of traffic, like this woman, is attempting to cross multiple lanes of traffic. Stopping and letting this woman out looks like the polite and civil thing to do. But, by doing so, you blow the view of both the person entering the flow of traffic and the people already in the flow of traffic...such as this motorcyclist. GoNavy is correct, this could have been much worse.
Matt Cooper
Sat, Jun 30, 2012 : 3:33 a.m.
Ummmm...from what I understand he is alive and he'll walk again, breathe without ventilatory assistance, feed himself, bathe himself, speak, read, live a normal life. Had he not worn his helmet.... Yes, it could have been much, much worse. Thank God he'll be okay.
PhillyCheeseSteak
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 8:28 p.m.
AlwaysLate - this couldn't have been much worse for the motorcycle driver! I hope he recovers to full health quickly.
AlfaElan
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 6:14 p.m.
I had someone cuss me out because I was in the 'through' lane eastbound on washtenaw and he wanted to turn left into the strip mall near subway. I looked at the right lane and it was blocked by a car so I didn't let him turn. He got rather angry and eventually used his head and went down the block where there wasn't traffic. I was not going to be inconsiderate to the dozen cars behind me while he waited for the car in the right lane to go at the light, and he thought I was rude becuase I was being inconsiderate to him.
Badm
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 3:24 p.m.
I agreed with always late , I live in the area and frequent CVS and Kroger's . This strip area is a mess and theirs always accidents . I don't let people through either because it causes accident. About a month ago a lady in a truck let some jerk through from speedway across packard heading west they race through two lanes of packard going west and t-boned a car right in front of me , its always dangerous and especially with this road construction on packard. People just don't care they want to go any direction regardless to driving laws and common since . No police to enforce any driving rules ,, what a way to increase city income and correct behavior of really dangerous and bad drivers ..
einy
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 3:13 p.m.
I've had people act aggressively toward me because I won't let them out. Why can't people just go around the block and turn around? It's not rocket science.
rs
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 2:55 p.m.
That area has been a free-for-all for a long time. They really need to close all the uncontrolled egresses between the Kroger plaza and Home Depot and make all the traffic go through one light-controlled driveway onto Carpenter. The same down by Meijer and Target. It would bring a lot more order to that crazy stretch of road. Of course they would have to re-time the lights to accommodate the increased traffic through the existing lights, but it would be worth it for every body.
leaguebus
Sat, Jun 30, 2012 : 4:15 p.m.
Retime lights, surely you jest! ever been on Huron in downtown AA? Huron traffic always stops at Division, the traffic bunches up and things get slowwwww. I used to live in Dearborn where Michigan avenue was timed eastbound in the morning and westbound in the afternoon and this worked pretty well. Are there ant timed lights in Washtenaw county?
A2comments
Sat, Jun 30, 2012 : 12:14 p.m.
The roadway leading up to the light can't hold enough cars.
johnnya2
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 2:43 p.m.
In most situations if I am on the Kroger strip mall near there, I always make my left at the light by the Kroger gas station. The issue I usually have is at Speedway. If you want to go north on Carpenter you are left with three scenarios which never seem good. 1. Make a right on to Packard and get into the far left lane ASAP. 2. Try to make a left on to Carpenter. Of course, this is the worst since people making a right from Packard keep coming and most drivers will not leave a spot for you to enter. 3. Make a right hand turn on to Carpenter and find the nearest place to make a left and use the parking lot as a turn around. I think the best solution would be to put a pass through from Speedway (and any of the other businesses in the area to the adjoining parking lot). I have found this to be a huge benefit along Washtenaw between Huron Parkway and US 23. I can get to the Chipotle without having to deal with Washtenaw.
Ann English
Sun, Jul 1, 2012 : 12:26 a.m.
Yes, other drivers have shown me how I can get off Washtenaw at Pittsfield and immediately turn left into the parking lot that takes me to Dollar Tree. No need to wait in stopped traffic to get to Yost in order to reach Dollar Tree. It sounds like people want to leave Speedway in a very difficult way: turn left where there's not only an intersection very close, but traffic waiting for green lights fills the lanes you want to get into. It reminds me of an accident a few years ago at the Shell station at Jackson and Maple. Someone tried to turn left out of the station at its Maple Road driveway, and got hit from oncoming traffic. With all the traffic that waits in those lanes closest to Shell for the lights to change, it must have been almost impossible to get past those lanes and complete a left turn. In the end, it wasn't worth the attempt. I remember passing by an accident further north on Maple, in front of Kmart, where I could tell that someone had tried to turn left onto Maple and another car already on Maple hit it. So they put in the traffic signal that is there today, making left turns much safer.
leaguebus
Sat, Jun 30, 2012 : 4:09 p.m.
John, are you a traffic engineer? If not, it might be time to change jobs. Really can't figure out why none of our paid engineers did not come up with that solution. Just an aside, the last accident I had, about 20 years ago was a t-bone by someone pulling out of the speedway and wanting to go north. Same scenario, someone left a hole which I didn't see from the through lane.
AlfaElan
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 6:09 p.m.
There is a reason why Carpenter and Packard has become the intersection with the most accidents in the county and you hit the nail on the head -- People turning left out of Speedway, both onto Carpenter and ont Packard.
Craig Lounsbury
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 2:25 p.m.
as one who frequents Kroger and Home Depot and almost always turns left on to Carpenter I always go to the stop light between Home Depot and Bell Tire unless traffic is light like 6 in the morning.
GoNavy
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 6:18 p.m.
Craig, That's probably because you're the type of person who thinks more than one step ahead. Many people think only one step ahead, as in "I need to exit this plaza, there's an exit, I'll go there."
tdw
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 2:59 p.m.
I do the exact same thing.There's places like Washtenaw I'll turn right then take a left into a parking lot or side street then turn right
Craig Lounsbury
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 2:26 p.m.
and I must add I pray for a full recovery for the biker
A2comments
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 2:16 p.m.
I'd like to see better light management on Carpenter. There are way too many exits from the plazas, i.e. Home Depot/Kroger and Meijer/Target. Making a right isn't the issue, it's making the lefts. Sometimes uou have to wait forever, and a timid driver just makes those behind them more anxious. There are some lights, but there should be more and much better signage directing people to the traffic light exits to make the lefts. Kroger's gas station really screwed up the parking lot and the signage is non-existent there. They should also incorporate the Advance Autoparts store into the lot and eliminate it's exit/entrance.
Ann English
Sun, Jul 1, 2012 : 12:10 a.m.
talker, If I want to go north on Carpenter from the Speedway gas station, I turn right on Carpenter, get into the left-turn lane and enter the Miles of Golf driveway, turning around in their parking lot, and then turning right on Carpenter to go north. Julius, If I'm on Packard east of Carpenter and want to go to Meijer, I take southbound Hawks to Blossom Hill, making my way to Center Valley Drive, which will take me right to the strip center. Going through residential areas is one way of avoiding traffic signals.
talker
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 10:05 p.m.
Yes, it's worth using the stop light in that area. The way to exit the Speedway Station is to turn right onto Carpenter Road and then turn into a shopping area where there is a light for turning left. Usually, when I am in that area I'm heading south to Meijers and want to go south anyway, then left into Meijers and make a right turn onto Carpenter Road after being at Meijers.
Julius
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 7:06 p.m.
Not more lights, just a system which consolidates the roads to the lights. I very rarely drive this stretch of Carpenter because it already has too many lights and I hate stopping every 35 feet.
cinnabar7071
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 5:20 p.m.
I'd like to see drivers paying attention to driving.
SonnyDog09
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 2:20 p.m.
Some of us who understand risk, make our left turns at lights and do not make left hand turns from strip malls or corner gas stations across three or more lanes of traffic.
SonnyDog09
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 2:12 p.m.
What is the "through lane"?
snapshot
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 9:26 p.m.
It's the left lane. folks always want to complicate the simple. It makes them feel smarter.
SonnyDog09
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 5:52 p.m.
Thank you. I have never heard the second lane referred to as a through lane before.
Terry Star21
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 4:22 p.m.
It' is the second lane, also known as the passing lane. People sometimes stop in the first lane to allow others to pull out onto the road, but the pulling out car and the through traffic can no always see each other clearly.
cinnabar7071
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 3:29 p.m.
How do you get down votes for asking a question? Is A2 that full of hate?
just a voice
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 2:01 p.m.
while I am totally against the new 'no helmet' law, I'm so glad this guy was wearing his. This nasty heat would certainly make me consider taking it off just to cool down, thankfully this guy was smarter then that. Repeal the stupid helmet law now!
clownfish
Sat, Jun 30, 2012 : 2:02 p.m.
Matt, don't bother with pesky "facts", they get in the way of ideology.
Matt Cooper
Sat, Jun 30, 2012 : 3:26 a.m.
snapshot...I don't wanna get too far off topic here, but since you made the claim, I'd like to see if you can offer proof that kayaking causes more deaths and/or injuries than riding a motorcycle without a helmet. Or that rock climbing, hiking or even texting while driving cause more deaths and/or injuries than riding without a helmet. Can you cite a NHSTA study? Or maybe the U of M has done such studies? Surely there must be something from a reputable source...right? I hope this guy makes a complete recovery, and I'm also glad he made the smart choice to wear a helmet.
snapshot
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 9:24 p.m.
Just a voice, why is it that folks love to exert control over others but in most cases engage in and ignore their own risky behaviors like biking, kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, and cell phone and texting while driving, among other "risky" behavors that cause more health problems, injuries, and deaths than a no helmet law? High school sports causes more damage to kids. Just asking dude.
Mike
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 8:05 p.m.
Do you ride or only talk?
Cory
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 5:02 p.m.
Actually, what they Repealed was "the helmet law", so there is no "new 'no helmet' law" to speak of. They would have to re-instate a helmet law. Grammar nazi [ ]on [x]off
RunsWithScissors
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 1:53 p.m.
Rich Kinsey covered this exact situation, and its potential consequences, just 2 weeks ago: http://www.annarbor.com/news/opinion/good-samaritan-left-turn-crashes/ That section of Carpenter, south of Packard, is rife with clueless drivers attempting to turn left from the corner gas station and shopping center parking lot. I've seen many near misses. Best wishes for the injured motorcyclist.
RunsWithScissors
Sat, Jun 30, 2012 : 4:07 p.m.
I wonder if the "polite" driver who stopped in the curb lane is aware that he/she is as much at fault as the left-turning driver.
djacks24
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 7:15 p.m.
Same happened to me back in 2002. People being nice letting someone in an Excursion (large Ford SUV) turn left (Westbound) onto Michigan Ave from a parking lot. I was heading Eastbound just as he got in front of me. I T-boned his left front side missing his drivers door by a few feet completely knocking the left front tire from his Excursion. My car was considered totaled. If I'd have been riding that day, I'd been killed (helmet or no helmet). Neither of us was hurt luckily. If he had been driving a lighter vehicle and would have been a few more feet into my lane, there is a good chance he would've been dead today. Then at the accident when he and the "nice" driver were clearly at fault, he had the nerve to question me of speeding, when in fact I never do. Remember folks, being nice can get people killed.
aareader
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 4:18 p.m.
I was driving with my 16 year old son the other day, and had the same thing happen right in front of me, the truck immediately in front of me letting in a woman making a left into oncoming traffic. Very dangerous. I used it as a "teachable moment" for my son, and even mentioned Detective Kinsey's article (my son likely thinks I am nuts, but hopefully some of it sank in.)
Major
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 2:49 p.m.
Playing cop...stupid!! Just drive!!!
A2comments
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 2:18 p.m.
Yes he did, and it seems that he described it exactly to what happened. People are trying to be nice and stop in the right lane, and the person crosses that lane and hits the vehicle in the left lane because they cannot see.
GoNavy
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 1:34 p.m.
Lucky for the woman that, instead of a motorcycle, she wasn't t-boned by a Ford F-350.
PhillyCheeseSteak
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 8:26 p.m.
And unlucky for the motorcycle driver!!!
harry
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 4:53 p.m.
Yea but she probably would have seen that. People, especially older people have a hard time seeing mototcycles. I am still amazed when I see a motorcyclist with out a helmet. I dont trust other drivers enough to not wear a helmet.