Three motorcyclists killed

speaking for someone who was 30 seconds ahead of the accident and could've have easily been one of the unlucky ones that died, just because he is 18 and a "good kid", does not excuse the fact that instead of making a safe judgement and waiting he decided he knew what was best and in doing so took the lifes of 3 incent people. it has changed the lifes of everyone that was on that ride, which by the way many has forgotten that it was for charity!!!!!!! more riders were killed that weekend in senseless acts of people not paying enough attention. i have a family that each time i ride i want to come home to, so we ride safe, but that does not keep those like Bryant Withers who are in a hurry from possibly making us not come home. bikes and not just motorcycles either are on the road everywhere, they are easy to see and deserve the same respect as other vehicles!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sorry I think everyone knows that the comments left by those friends of Bryant do not mean to excuse the incident. There is really no excuse for it at all. But those people just want to make sure that readers know what a good person he is. I think everyone should keep to themselves right now about what they think happened. You have no idea what he was doing, thinking, or concentrating on the moment before the accident. No one does except for himself and God and I believe it should be left that way. Just think of what you would feel like right now if you were him. An 18 year old with a bright future ahead of you and suddenly this slaps you in the face. You've killed 3 people, a complete accident, and most everyone is pointing fingers at you not even realizing how it makes you feel. Personally I don't feel that any bike should be allowed on the road. I have close to perfect eyesight but that same day that this tragedy happened a motorcylist was almost killed by me because the bike was too small I couldn't see it. I would say the best way to keep these motorcycle accidents from happening is to just not ride them at all.

okay i havent been able to read all of these comments, neither the ones i agree with or disagree with, i jus felt like i should put something on here about this ACCIDENT (yes we do need to remember that this was an accident, not something done with a malicious intent). i know many ppl are going to think oh shes from milan shes jus defending bryant because of where he's from and because shes friends with him, blah, blah, blah. but no thats not why im defending him. someone could be my best friend in the whole wide world and if they were at fault and if they were doing something they shouldnt have been doing, or doing something that they knew was wrong, etc., id be the first one to come right out and say it. id be the first to tell them that they were the one in the wrong. but this is different. im defending bryant because i KNOW that he is a great kid, probably one of the best kids that i know and because i KNOW that it was truely an accident. he doesnt get into trouble, he cares about others greatly, is a spectacular role model for the younger kids that look up to him, just one of those all around nice guys. he made one mistake. yes a huge mistake. but everyone makes those once or twice in their lifetime. we're all human beings. im sure every one of you have made a careless descision when driving, right? i just hope that all of you can feel for him and his family, and those that were hurt in the accident, and along with their families. i understand the bikers side of the defense. i ride sometimes, my brothers and sisters ride all the time, its a lot of fun and i really hope myself or my family are never in this situation. i dont understand why ppl feel the need to degrate a certain group of ppl when its never all of those ppl that do bad things, this includes those of you degrating the motorcyclists, blacks, and us "ripley and dearborn county ppl". i just wish that everyone would stop putting rude comments on here about bryant and the motorcyclists. i dont like to get on this site and see all of the idiotic things that ppl say from either side of the stories. think before you write something down because its going to be here forever, your kids, grandkids, and great grandkids will be able to read these postings, what do you want them to think of you as a person? im glad im writing something down that i can, forever, be proud of....one more thing to all of you that say he needs punishment.. dont you think living with this is enough punishment for this good kid?? because i DEFINITELY do. think about it. one day you or one you love could be in the same situation, wouldnt you want some remorse? yeah, thats what i thought.

you make the comment yeah thats what i thought...getover yourself... that was a good friend of mine. just imagine if that was your friend who are you to make that comment

I was there, and for a few breif moments, held Bryant's hand trying to reassure him it was AN ACCIDENT! I was on that ride maybe 20 bikes behind the accident. When I ran up to the accident, things were still moving Bryant was in his car. I was one of many that this ride has effected for ever. I saw the people lying there. David's (Jughead) I believe ex- wife falling to pieces over him as if there was still a deep love for him. It is all too sad that tradgedy as it was bring those feeling back even for just a moment. I tended to the man that had the open wound on his leg. And after EMTs arrived on scenem I went to Bryant's side At this point he was also lying on the ground. I believe, I was the first to tell Briant the 3 riders were gone. And you know what? In the few unbelievable moments, I looked in his eyes (that moment will be etched in my memory for ever). My husband and I argue to this day. I don't believe how harsh people are. Put yourself in others shoes. What if it were you that had been behind the wheel of that car? What if it was your son, daughter, friend, or relative? This is what is wrong with people today. They are so fast to judge, blame, critisize. As long as they are seperated and the focus is not on them! You have people laying blame everywhere. When was the last time something as tradgic as this honestly touched your life if ever. The pain, guilt, memories, the simple knowledge of what happened that day, no matter who was at fault, will be with him forever. He asked me to tell their familes he was sorry. I have not spoken to anyone on that ride since the Sunday after. But my thoughts and prayers have been with all involved each day. I have a number for a guy by the name of Herbie that may well know Bryant. And many times wanted to call it just to pass along, Not everyone know everything! And no matter what the outcome of it all, He will be alright at the end. Even though it may appear everyone is against him, there a still prople in the world that see other angles. Even when they do not know them personally.
*** Bryant *** I am sorry I have not been able to speak to those familes. And I am sorry for what everyone connected to this is suffering. I am so thankful that it was not worse.
*** ALL!!!*** REMEMBER THIS COULD HAVE VERY WELL HAVE BEEN YOU ON EITHER SIDE OF THE ROAD THAT DREADFUL DAY ..... GOD BLESS ALL AND COMFORT ANYONE IN NEED.
Where is anyone compassion?

I can't imagine living with that type of guilt for the rest of my life.

Yikes.

well im his sister and i kno for a fact he didnt mean to hit or injure or kill anybody.. i feel awful because he has to live with that for the rest of his life! i love him to death and i kno it was an accident. bryant is a good kid, student and just a plain old good guy. we all love bryant. and he is such a sweetheart. i would do anything for him hes just amazing! bryant has a lot of nightmares about all that happened that day. he wakes up screaming and crying telling us he remembers parts of the wreck. he is such a good guy. he didnt mean to hurt anybody. im sorry for those who lost thier family members, loved ones and friends in that wreck. and so is bryant. i guess things happen for a reason and nobody knows why. they might think of things why things happened good or bad things but nobody knows. i love you bryant so much and im sorry for what youre still goin through

i cant imagine what he went through and still is.. its awful!
love ya bub

Sister: Im glad that Bryant has people who can support him like you.

thanks jon id be so scared if i were him.. jeeshe he still has nightmares.

punkin wrote:

speaking for someone who was 30 seconds ahead of the accident and could've have easily been one of the unlucky ones that died, just because he is 18 and a "good kid", does not excuse the fact that instead of making a safe judgement and waiting he decided he knew what was best and in doing so took the lifes of 3 incent people. it has changed the lifes of everyone that was on that ride, which by the way many has forgotten that it was for charity!!!!!!! more riders were killed that weekend in senseless acts of people not paying enough attention. i have a family that each time i ride i want to come home to, so we ride safe, but that does not keep those like Bryant Withers who are in a hurry from possibly making us not come home. bikes and not just motorcycles either are on the road everywhere, they are easy to see and deserve the same respect as other vehicles!!!!!!!!!!

what the heck? bryant was not in a hurry.. he was on his way home and the car in front of him came to a complete stop when he didnt need to. the cops sirens were on and they said it shouldnt have been. and we found out that cop wasnt even on duty so yeah.. and i love him to death and i know the peoples death were awful but nobody and i mean NOBODY needs to blame it on bryant.. or anybody as a matter of fact. im just saying.

Bryants a good person with high goals and I hope he accomplishes those dreams.