Freeway Crash Sends Ten Motorcycle Riders to Hospital

Ten Injured, Two Critically, in Multi-Motorcycle Crash - Interstate 5 south of Wilsonville

(WILSONVILLE, Ore.) - Police say ten motorcyclists traveling together as part of the Brothers Speed Motorcycle Club were injured, two critically, Friday afternoon in a multi-vehicle traffic crash south of Wilsonville on Interstate 5.

Oregon State Police Lieutenant Gregg Hastings, says Friday, September 18, 2009, at approximately 2:45 p.m., approximately 26 motorcycles were traveling northbound in the left inside lane near milepost 282 in a formation of two columns when traffic ahead began to come to a stop.

"The first two motorcycles maneuvered to avoid a collision with the stopped vehicle, but the rest of the motorcycles could not react in time and crashed into the vehicle in front of their group and into each other."

He says medical responders arrived and subsequently transported eight motorcyclists by ground ambulance.

Two other riders, identified as 40-year old Herbert Sinclair of Heyburn, Idaho and 38-year old David Bowyer of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, were transported by LifeFlight to Oregon Health Sciences University and Legacy Emanuel Hospital, respectively. Both men are reported in critical condition. No information is available tonight regarding the other individuals involved in the crash.

The total number of motorcycles that actually crashed is not confirmed at this time.

Photo shortly after crash, shot and sent to Salem-News.com by RCW

Interstate 5 northbound lanes were closed for about two hours before one lane was opened.

All lanes of Interstate 5 were open at approximately 5:40 p.m. Oregon State Police troopers were assisted at the scene by Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, ODOT and other area emergency responders.

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Comments Leave a comment on this story.

All comments and messages are approved by people and self promotional links or unacceptable comments are denied.

Simon October 24, 2009 10:30 am (Pacific time)

Good Luck on the fundraiser Steak Dinner today. The injured need all the assistance they can get. Our ASSOCIATION will be donating $500 plus purchasing a minimum of 6 $20 Steak Dinners. In response the prior discussion on helmet use....., they can save lives and they can take lives, have witnessed both sides numerous times.

Marylou October 14, 2009 9:54 pm (Pacific time)

I do not think any one will see this, no one seems to care at this late of date. Everyone should have the choice to wear a helmet or not. It is our right. Editor, why don't you ask any of the members of Brother Speed what type of helmet they wear? I suggest you don't ask them if they are smart enough, maybe just ask nicely as you would anyone else. I bet you will get an array of answers from brain buckets to full face. You people all have the answers - sure wish I did.

The Dude September 24, 2009 4:11 pm (Pacific time)

Sorry to see accidents like this. Hopefully the two critically injured will be OK. On the other hand, maybe some of these gray haired, ponytailed types will start wearing real helmets when they ride. Don't give me any of this "its my choice" cr@p either. Your decisions affect rest of us who ride. Same with the loud pipes. All they do is pi$$ off everyone else. Live to ride, but ride responsibly.

Simon September 24, 2009 2:49 pm (Pacific time)

Again I say, many times automobiles and 18 wheeelers have slammed on their brakes on I-5 without any apparent reason....., but if you are in their position, majority of the time you too will see the reason. It happens folks, fact, deal with it, it happens!

wade September 24, 2009 8:28 am (Pacific time)

Their is a quote of a driver who was parallel to the suv, saying it slammed on its brakes for no reason. I know your at fault if you hit a vehicle from behind but if i wanted to on the highway I could brake check hard enough to make anybody behind me hit me, especially with modern brakes. Cindy you know nothing.

Simon September 22, 2009 3:56 pm (Pacific time)

Had autos and trucks slam on their brakes often on I-5, happens all the time. Wishing those injured a speedy and complete recovery.

Grumbler September 22, 2009 2:05 pm (Pacific time)

If the young woman in that SUV suddenly slammed on her brakes at 70mph then an accident is all but unavoidable. Who in their right mind drives/rides on the I-5 anticipating that someone is going to suddenly SLAM on their brakes?

Mo September 22, 2009 2:32 am (Pacific time)

Hey Cindy maybe you should check the traffic laws on bikes, we are allowed to ride double in the lane. Get your facts straight before you post

Snauzer September 21, 2009 1:18 pm (Pacific time)

So my last commentary is not approved? Sorry for bashing the editor...but having been a traffic accident investigator, it is not common that a vehicle slowing at a slow rate of speed would have caused such a cataclysmic event. An abrupt stopping of a motor vehicle from high rate of speed does invite the question of what caused such excessive speed reduction?

Anonymous September 21, 2009 9:15 am (Pacific time)

Please keep in mind that the driver of the SUV has no bearing on the accident. If the SUV stopped it seems that the motorcycles were not paying attention to the traffic and following way to close to stop safely, lessons learned expect the unexpected that is part of driving defensivly and maybe those on the bikes should parctice some safe driving habits. I wish all of them the best and hope they all recover from their injuries.

Snauzer September 21, 2009 9:03 am (Pacific time)

My prayers to all the bikers and their families. Why does the article not mention any information on the operator of the "cage" that resulted in this event?

Blaro September 21, 2009 6:35 am (Pacific time)

I would have to agree with James. These people were obviously not riding safely. As far as full face helmets goes, i always wear one.

EastCoastRider September 21, 2009 5:58 am (Pacific time)

Surprisingly, most MC's do wear helmets, although they are only brain buckets... Hope the brothers heal up soon.

cindy September 20, 2009 11:07 pm (Pacific time)

unbelievable to me that anyone could actually think the driver of the "SUV or minivan" is in any way responsible for a bunch of motorcycles running into the back of them. Last time I checked, whomever rear-ends the vehicle in front is at fault. I'm sick of seeing multiple motorcyclists breaking the law by driving double in a lane, driving too close to each other, or others on the road, or speeding. Don't get me wrong, I feel bad for those injured, and their families, and my husband rides a bike, but people need to take responsibility for themselves, and their actions. This includes obeying traffic laws, and wearing protective gear.

TATTOO GJMCUSA September 20, 2009 7:54 pm (Pacific time)

get well soon men,

Jake September 20, 2009 7:24 pm (Pacific time)

The story doesn't mention whether the riders were smart enough to be wearing full-face helmets or not. Including this information in every motorcycle wreck story can help people decide whether it's a good idea or not.

Editor: If you see these guys in public some time, go up and ask them if they "are smart enough" to wear full faced helmets, then you'll know. I suspect these riders from Brother Speed probably aren't helmet fans at all.

James September 20, 2009 4:43 pm (Pacific time)

Yes, anonymous, that makes perfect sense. The driver of the stopped vehicle was directly responsible for twenty-six bikes riding so closely together and failing to allow themselves a safe stopping distance. This was the result of careless riding. And where in the article does this mention either an SUV or a mini-van? Or a female driver?

September 20, 2009 2:43 pm (Pacific time)

Such a shame. I hope the injured men will be ok. I wonder if the SUV or mini-van driver was not paying attention--on her cell phone or something.

geo September 20, 2009 2:50 pm (Pacific time)

My heart goes out to all affected in this accident and I also wish everyone a speedy and complete recovery!

Anonymous September 20, 2009 2:41 pm (Pacific time)

Such a shame. I hope the injured men will be ok. I wonder if the SUV or mini-van driver was not paying attention--on her cell phone or something.

Truly September 20, 2009 12:40 am (Pacific time)

Wishing everyone a speedy recovery. This is terrible, what a scene. Hang in there!

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