No criminal charges in fatal motorcycle accident

So, no charges, eh? 130 bucks.

Outrageous! obviously involuntary manslaughter! What next? open season on pedestrians? It's a license to drive, not a license to kill.

Only if people like you are standing in the way...
That truck drive got up that day early and said to his self ( this would be a great day to hit some poor person and kill them and make my life hell for ever ). No it was just an accident and nothing more.

WOW....I am speechless! I know the man that hit Bradd did not wake up feeling the need to cause pain and suffering to so many but I just can't help think that this is not enough. I know for the rest of his life he will have to live with what happened and his family will also feel his pain but I also know that The Trifone Family and the community did not plan on burying such a bright young man so soon and on his birthday no less. The Trifone family will not be able to be compensated with any amount of money to ease their pain and loss but I just feel at a loss because it just is not seem fair to know that an act of neglect can go unpunished with a small fine. It just makes it sound like Bradd was not as important or something. I know nothing is really fair for either party........but even if Bradd's bike did stall.......the truck was too close and not aware of the situation. I think Mr. Stillabower should think twice about driving a semi and voluntarily give up his CDL because it will be quite difficult for him to have to drive a semi without thinking daily what happened,

It is so sad that a life is only worth $130. The driver may not have intended to kill or even hurt anyone, but the fact remains...He DID. When you get your license, you should be held accountable, period. Yes accidents happen, but a life was taken. At least so jail time?

It is so sad that a life is only worth $130.

Sooo, what exactly is a life worth?? If we throw a man in prison...ruin his life too, then has retribution been made? Maybe jail time plus a huge $$$$ settlement! Wake up and grow up people, we have forgotten how to forgive in this country because we are to busy laying blame, we're all victims. I know it's hard, I lost my father in an accident but never wanted the other driver to pay...even though he was at fault. HELLO, Nothing but the grace of God will suffice in these situations, and to be able to extend that grace to others we have to experience it first.

$130? Is that the cost for running down a motorcyclist these days? No charge of Involuntary Manslaughter (as mentioned above)? What about Negligent Homicide, Criminal Recklessness, Criminal Negligence or even Reckless Endangerment? He should be charged with all or most of those.$130, huh? I guess the next time I'm in my truck, and some idiot on a moped is blocking traffic, I'll just run him over. I can afford $130 to get where I'm going faster.

Bubbadude wrote:

It is so sad that a life is only worth $130.
Sooo, what exactly is a life worth?? If we throw a man in prison...ruin his life too, then has retribution been made? Maybe jail time plus a huge $$$$ settlement! Wake up and grow up people, we have forgotten how to forgive in this country because we are to busy laying blame, we're all victims. I know it's hard, I lost my father in an accident but never wanted the other driver to pay...even though he was at fault. HELLO, Nothing but the grace of God will suffice in these situations, and to be able to extend that grace to others we have to experience it first.

Well, you are much more forgiving than I. I pray to God every day that he does not allow idiots to be on the road when my children are. I am not laying blame to anyone. I don't have to.

wow this is total BS.. Didnt see him ran him over and caused his death? i have driven semis multiple times and know that any motorcycle or car goes unnoticed. how do you come up on a stop light and not see someone stopped in front of you? he was in the rotc and still no charges pressed or filed but a citation.. it just goes to show how much our law enforcment really cares about our military... im just blowin steam cause this really pisses me off!!!!! this guy should atleast get some jail time! he caused alot of pain in our community and all they can say is well bud slow it down and start paying attention.

I'm surprised, and a bit shocked. The trucker had no business being that close to that vehicle when they were both stopped at the light. I managed to drive professionaly for 20 years, and know that the trucker knew better than to be that close. Doesn't matter that the motorcycle stalled it, you're a professional, it's your job to look out for others. The trucker should be charged with more than a small fine. All he will get is a note on his DAC report that he was charged with a preventable accident, which will be removed after 7 years. " I didn't see him" is no excuse, he was there, the only reason he didn't see him is because he pulled up way to close, its simple as that.

kill a biker GO TO JAIL!!!!!

I am a motorcyclist, and I was as angry and upset as anyone when I heard this story. As time has passed, I have concluded that accidents do happen, some with worse consequences than others. I believe that had there been grounds for charges, the prosecuter would have filed.
I do feel for the family and friends of the motorcyclist, but I also would hate to have to live the rest of my life with the feelings this truck-driver must have. If the family so chooses, we all know that they can pursue this in a civil case, but that is entirely their decision.
Maybe the best thing that could come out of this, would be for the driver to speak to young drivers about the actions that they take while driving, just like some DUI recipients do.
It's a sad story, and one that will touch many people for a long time.

Bad combination, Big truck small vehicle in bad place, disaster!

this is a load of b.s.

This is such a terrible tragedy. I have been following this story the day it happened. I guess it caught my attention because my husband just purchased his motorcycle for the first time this summer! I cannot imagine this happening to anyone. I do not understand why there isnt more being done to the semidriver. I know it was not in his agenda to run over and kill a young man that day, but his actions were careless. I do not know if I agree with jailtime because this man has a life sentence of killing the man, but there should be more done than a small fine! Some people get speeding tickets worse than that!! I believe he definitely should lose his license. As for the young mans family, our thoughts and prayers go out to you, we are so sorry for your loss.

hoosierdirt wrote:

As time has passed, I have concluded that accidents do happen, some with worse consequences than others. I believe that had there been grounds for charges, the prosecuter would have filed.

As a fellow rider, I disagree. Accidents do not just happen, but rather, they are caused by several factors that lead up to them, and almost always are the direct result of human error.

I also disagree with the second part that I quoted. Had this biker been a motorcycle cop, or maybe Mayor Tony Roswarski's son, that truck driver would be lucky to ever see daylight again. But the message that we are getting from our prosecutor is that since this was just a college kid, it's not that big of a deal. I will be remembering this and other bad decisions by politicians when I vote in November.

I believe this was truly an accident. Drivers do not understand the dangers around semis. There are many blind area where the driver cannot see what is around him. Over the hood of the truck is one of them. All of us get distracted, forget, or assume things. I tell everyone I can - give big trucks all the room you can. Do not tailgate, hang by their side, speed up and down, pull out in front of them, cut their braking distance. You cannot win against a big truck. I also know the dangers of riding a bike. Traffic is dangerous for us all. Please be an offensive and defensive driver.

I am a motorcyclist and for someone to pull up to a stop light and not see someone parked on a motorcycle is rediculous. The truck driver killed a 19 year old kid and all he gets is a ticket/$130 fine, that is terrible. He should have at minimum gotten his license revolked and been sentenced to take drivers classes or something. There is no excuse for not seeing someone parked in front of you at a stop light, he just plain wasn't paying attention and shouldn't get off easy for his mistakes.

This is truly a sad story. My heart goes out to all the family of the biker. I dont think the issue is the driver getting charged with manslaughter or simply getting a ticket. This man will live with the fact that he killed this young man for the rest of his life. Had he been a little more alert this whole situation could have been avoided. I think that drivers across america need to learn to SEE AND LOOK FOR motorcyclists. I commute daily in los angeles and it seems like i have a close call at least once a week. If I were not looking for these potential incidents I could easily not be here. Which leads me to another issue. Motorcyclist need to make themselves be seen and be aware of the situation around them. If you see a semi pull up and stop 1 foot behind you then you do what ever it takes to make sure that driver sees you, ie: walk bike forward, wave hands at driver, honk horn. I am very sorry to see this truly avoidable accident happen

So, the moron truck driver immediately proceeded to accelerate when the light turned green ?
Yeah, thats safe driving, motorcycle in front or not <sarcasm>
Clown should be going to the pen, no ifs, ands, or buts.
Bet he was on a cell phone at the time.
What a pathetic excuse for a judicial system.