Serious crash reported in North Smithfield
Published: June 26, 2009
NORTH SMITHFIELD, R.I.—A serious crash was reported Friday morning in North Smithfield.
A motorcycle appeared to be involved in the 7:30 a.m. crash where Route 146 north splits from Route 146A.
Accident reconstruction crews were called to the scene.
No additional information was immediately available.
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First, my condolences to the family of the victim involved in this unfortunate accident.
Next, I’m speaking from experience and we all have our own. I HAD a motorcycle for over 10 yrs. (1st yr a 550, the rest an 1100 cc)There were times I had a helmet on and there were times I didn’t. At first I wore a helmet. The downside..I almost had an accident twice. I was wearing a “full-faced” helmet. A car was coming up to pass on the right (2 lanes merging to one lane/during the daytime hrs)and I didn’t hear it but saw it at the last second. Helmets may have improved now but my perivial vision and hearing was diminished with the helmet on.(To help understand, drive your car wearing a borrowed helmet if you don’t have one)I’m not going to argue which way is more safe. However, without the hemet I was able to avoid many potential hazards. Riding without the helmet was my choice and felt I could ride more defensively…which is key…operating a car or bike. I also felt a false sense of security(with helmet on)and found myself riding less carefully. Did not like that. Riding a motorcycle is still dangerous (no such thing as a fender-bender)...but I chose to and did so without a helmet. As far as drivers of cars looking out for bikers…BOTH should be looking out for each other. It’s only common sense to drive/ride defensively.
It’s a shame, but there will always be those distracted drivers (cell phones…to name one distraction) along with drivers who just dislike bikers…as well as those bikers that weave thru traffic and pass on the right that make it dangerous for all. Do your best to drive/ride carefully AND defensively.
Again…My condolences to the family of this most recent tragedy.
mlincoln - i am sorry for your loss and for your families loss
maybe this jacka$$ state should clean up all the sand off the roads - a very big hazard to bikes, nevermind the 8 million potholes on 146.
may he rest in peace.
Thank You Eyewitness. Those comments are absolutely horrible for family members to see since I am a family member. Some people can just be so rude and ignorant. Seatbelts and helmets do not save everyone. I was involved in an accident years ago and if I was wearing my seatbelt I probably wouldn’t be here today. RIP Cuz
drivers are not suppose to watch out for bikers, bikers are SUPPOSE to watch out for cars. If a person on a bike isn’t wearing a helmet then they should slow the ^$## down. Just the other day I was on route 37 and this guy on a motorcycle was weaving in and out of traffic doing 80. Bikers are suppose obey the traffic laws too, and sadly they don’t.
The point is, when you do not wear a helmet or seat belts and then have an accident, we all pay the price with all the medical costs to keep you alive!!!!! Drive responsibly so everyone else doesn’t have to pay for your stupidity, that’s all!!!
I thought this was america? we all have a choice whether or not to wear a helmet. those of us who ride know what happens if we dont wear a helmet its our choice. if your going 60 mph the only thing going to save you in an accident is GOD. the push is on for quieter motorcycles, not a good idea. if you hear a siren first thing you do is look to see where its coming from and you find the rescue or fire truck if you hear a loud exhaust on a motorcycle first thing you do is look to see where it is thus you see the motorcycle. the quiet ones you never hear so you dont look and never see until its to late. automobiles and motorcycles all have there morans who think they own the road. we all have to look out for each other. please dont judge all motorcycle riders by a few idiots.
Hate the signs that ask me share the road with bikers especially b/c they think they have the right to weave thru stopped or slow traffic. And don’t give me the line that it is only the “kids” on the racing bikes. The next time you see any bike queued up b/t cars in traffic will the first time.
I too have witnessed motorcycle riders weaving in and out of traffic and in the breakdown lane. It seems to me that they think they are invincible and the laws do not apply to them. Let’s all hope they wake up and drive responsibly!!!
Amen eyewitness. Nobody can say that they have never done anything unsafe on any sort of vehicle. Recently, while making a right turn, a bike came up on my right and cut me off while making his right turn. Couple this with his buddy who passed me on the left and made that same right turn AROUND me. Dumb? Yes. No dumber than the young lady who ran a red light on Newport Ave almost t-boning a minivan with a family inside. Dumb driving is an equal opportunity.
Sasha, another brilliant comment..they weave because it is “uncomfortable”. Absolutely brilliant. 
Well stated eyewitness.
If everyone respected one another on the road and stopped doing things like talking on phone, texting and eating the roads would be a safer place - life is too short, slow down and enjoy.
To this man and his family - my thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless.
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