Across the country, people can be seen enjoying their freedom from on top of a motorcycle. One must be careful when traveling by motorcycle as it can be more hazardous due to greater exposure to dangers on the road. March 1st saw two motorcycle crashes in the Phoenix Valley happen just hours apart. One person was killed while two others were in critical condition.
According to a story appearing on the Foothills Focus website, the first motorcycle crash happened at the intersection of Cave Creek Road and Green Parkway. Officials with the Phoenix Police department say that the motorcyclist collided with a Toyota Corolla causing both the biker and his passenger to be thrown from the motorcycle. Police pronounced the motorcyclist dead at the scene. He has been identified as Harry Stephens, 49. The passenger on the motorcycle has only been identified as a 22-year old woman. She survived the crash and was rushed to an area hospital. She was listed in critical condition, though her injuries are not considered to be life-threatening.
Both Stephens and his passenger had been wearing helmets at the time.
Authorities have not released the name of the 71-year-old woman who was driving the Corolla. Police investigators don’t believe that speed played any role in the fatal crash, the cause of the accident is still currently under investigation.
A second accident involving a motorcycle and passenger vehicle happened at approximately 8:15 p.m. that same evening. This accident occurred near the intersection of the Carefree Highway and 7th Street.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department deputies believe that the driver of the vehicle caused the accident. At the time of the crash, the motorcyclist was left with life-threatening injuries. An update of his condition states he has stabilized but is still listed in critical condition. The driver of the car was uninjured in the crash and stayed at the scene. He was later released by law enforcement officers. Authorities do not believe that speed, drugs or alcohol had any role in the accident. Maricopa Sheriff’s Office spokesperson, Sergeant Bryant Vanegas said in a statement to the media, “It appears that the vehicle turned in front of the motorcycle, causing a collision.”
No citations were issued in the accident; however, the crash is still currently under investigation.
