Motorists convicted of misdemeanors after killing motorcyclists
August 28, 2009
Two motorists in Ohio will were ordered to serve time in jail after they were convicted of criminal charges in the deaths of two motorcyclists, according to a Findlay newspaper.
Richard Reed, 29, of Mount Blanchard, was ordered to serve 24 days in jail (66 days of his sentence was “suspended” jail time) after backing into the path of motorcyclist, Vernon Wittenmeyer on August 16, 2008. Wittenmeyer died of his injuries at a local hospital and Reed was charged with vehicular homicide. Reed was also fined $500 and his driver’s license was suspended for 731 days.
Morgan Ann Depuy, 19, of Findlay, was also convicted in the death of a Findlay man that she hit and killed on April 12. William A. Buis was traveling southbound on a street in Findaly when Depuy attempted to turn left and collided with Buis’s motorcycle. Buis was later pronounced dead at an area hospital.
Similar to Reed, Depuy’s license was suspended for 731 days, and she was fined $500. Additionally, Depuy will serve 90 days in jail after being convicted of vehicular manslaughter.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident due to someone else’s negligence, contact an experienced personal injury attorney. In this critical time you need a legal team that will fight for the compensation you deserve!
Posted Under: Motorcycle Accidents Tags: injured in a motorcycle accident, Morgan Ann Depuy, motorcycle accident, personal injury attorney, Richard Reed, Vernon Wittenmeyer, William A. Buis
Reader Comments
Mr Kiley,
With so many driver’s negligence causing motorcycle rider’s injury and death, what can we motorcyclists do to prevent our own injury at the expense of others aside from protecting ourselves with the right gear, training, and attitude?
While merging onto the highway today, a car overcame my riding partner by illegally overtaking him within the lane he was in. Luckily, the rider was able to swerve to miss an accident, but this incident caused by a young driver’s road rage and inexperience could have so easily turned into another tragedy.
Law enforcement is powerless to do anything against poor and negligent drivers, and even those who drive to endanger, until they actually hurt someone.
Is there any proposed legislation to change this and to better protect motorcycle riders? A near accident with a motorcyclist should be punishable, as an actual accident is likely to result in a fatality. Do you have any opinions on this matter?
Angela, thank you for your comment. Unfortunately too many times I hear stories like yours that end in tragedy with the motorcyclist being seriously injured or killed. The behavior you described represents a serious and ongoing safety problem for bikers. It places all of us that enjoy the sport at risk.
It is stories like this that renew my determination to spread the word that we have to use all means available to us to promote public awareness of motorcycles and protect ourselves on the road.
To answer your question directly there is model language, proposed by Public Law 109-59 also known as (SAFETEALU),that is available for adoption by the states. This proposed law promotes education of motorists and therefor safety for motorcyclists. Its also known as the “Share The Road With Motorcycles” program.
While it is designed to promote motorcycle safety its main focus is to educate motorists about motorcycles and their unique operating features and safety concerns. The education process is done through operator licensing manuals, public service announcements, pamphlets and websites.
The law is designed to educate young motorists starting at the time of initial driver training that motorcycles are vehicles with the same rights and privileges as any vehicle on the road.
You can find the model language at http://www.nhtsa.com
In my continuing effort to promote motorcycle safety I encourage visitors of this blog to express their safety concerns in order that we can work together to bring attention to the whole concept of “Share The Road”.
Its time for us to promote the language in this model legislation for the benefit of all of us that ride.
Thanks again for you blog and remember ride responsibly and be safe.
Tom