Motorcyclist killed in Holland Township

I live on the north side of Holland and frequently have to use that treacherous intersection. I am deeply saddened to hear that someone lost their life there, but it does not surprise me. The roads intersect at an angle which lengthens the time it takes to cross the intersection. Making a left turn from southbound Butternut is tricky because a curve obstructs the view of northbound traffic. I agree that the construction probably made it more confusing for drivers, but that is NO REASON to run a red light.

tom wrote:

I ride and have rode all my life from dirt bikes to harleys. I just want to pass on what an old man told me when I started rideing road bikes. witch is...
RIDE LIKE YOUR INVISIBLE AND YOU JUST MIGHT MAKE IT.
good luck to all my fellow riders. have a safe summer.

Exactly what I was taught when I started riding. It shouldn't HAVE to be this way but sadly, it is. Prayers for the family!

My condolences to his family.

Actually, if the mC was traveling NB and the car SB turning left on EB Riley St, they both have a green light at that intersection. The mini van just failed to yield right of way to the motorcycle, they both had green lights. I also was there and witnessed the cops take the mini van driver to jail, said it was because he was illegal immigrant and ins was picking him up. No driver license!!!

i knew this man well my heart goes out to him and his family.There really needs to be a new law about careless drivers and drunk drivers. my son was taken from me 6-29-06 from a drunk driver and he only gets four years and i'll never see my son again untill i die which really is bad and this guy who hit him maybe four it should be life you take a life lose your,s i'm so sorry again my heart will be with you.

I have great respect for bikers. Several people in my family have them. I find it appauling that some of you can call people in cars morons. You don't ride your bikes in the winter so I guess that makes you morons also. Bikers aren't all safe either. What about the ones that zip in and out of traffic and cutting people short. You've got crazies no matter what they drive.
My prayers are with any family who has to lose someone to such a senseless death.

I worked with Bill at ODL Inc. Bill was a very well liked guy and you alway knew when he was around, we will all miss him very much! If there was ever anything anyone needed, he was there for them.

It is a very sad day here at work today.

Ben Thar wrote:

I know you bikers have as much right on the road as cars, but you can't assume cars are going to give that right to you. If I read the sketchy report right, this biker had the right of way but...the car driver didn't even see a stop sign much less the biker. You always have to assume the worst because it often happens. Biker RIP is right.

If the driver couldn't see the stop sign he/she needs to be more aware of the road. Drivers of cars need to give the right to any other vehicle on the road it should not matter. If these are your opinions, I hope you don't have a license!!

In the only email I ever sent to WOOD TV, I suggested having a recurring summertime segment on road and motorcycle safety. There are so many bikers in West Michigan, and having a recurring 2 minute weekly spot on how to be a safer driver -- of both cars and bikes -- would be great. It could be posted online and might be a big help. All motorcyclists take a risk by riding. But with education, training and precaution, the risks can be reduced.(Driving invisible is good advice.)

Here is the link to the guy who taught me: http://www.motorcyclesafetyphil.com/

Prayers for the friends and family of this man, and for the driver of the van who will be living with his error to experience grace.

I HATE this intersection and avoid it whenever I can!!! I'm surprised there aren't MORE accidents there!!

Probably the motorcycle was going way too fast like most of them.

If you watch that corner, there is someone turning left 70% of the time on a red light. It's one of those bad spots where your still stuck in the middle of the corner after it turns red. Why there is no Left turn lights there I'll never know. I've been going through that corner for 32 years now, M-dot needs to wake up. If the driver did run the light, toss him out at the nearest biker bar.

There have been several topics lately on motorcycle accidents and safety. All about helmets and how bikers ride to fast etc. As someone who has been riding for a long time I just want to ask people in cars just take a few extra seconds look around we have just as much right on the road as you. I agree with Tom I always ride like I am invisible . I see a lot of cars, trucks , and motorcycles, roll red lights all the time . Scares the heck out of me . Another sad accident that probably never should have happened .

Godspeed to Bill and my deepest sypathies for his family!!!!

I havent found an article that talks about charges for the driver? Lets start with Negligent homicide or vehicular manslaughter. What a F*&^%$ tool. Shame on MDOT for the no left turn lane as that intersection has to be the most f*&^%$ up in west michigan. They probably dont care since they can put in a STUPID michigan left where you can get killed by full speed vehicles....

Richard wrote:

Probably the motorcycle was going way too fast like most of them.

What difference is what speed the motorcyle wa going, the man ran a red light.

I too knew Bill and am going to miss his common sense and his straightforwardness. You never had to guess what Bill was thinking because he always told it like it was. His contributions to our company are too numerous to mention and his levelheaded way of thinking will be missed as we move forward after this tragic event. I wish to send Prayers for his whole family. He was a force of nature who was taken much too soon. Godspeed Bill.

I agree, drive like you are invisible.....no matter WHAT you are driving. I drive a vehicle and I ALWAYS drive defensively. I can't tell you the number of times I have saved my own skin because I was watching out for the idiot.

It is sad but true - you need to double check at stop signs and lights to make sure every one is stopping, be on the constant lookout for the idiot swerving over the center line and anticipate that the moron is going to inevitably pull out in front of you. So many people don't pay attention while they are driving, many are lost in their own world whether they are daydreaming, yakking on their cell, texting, eating, drinking, yelling at the kids, trying to drive with their mutt on their lap, etc.

And here's a tip that I have found helps somewhat - if you don't have daytime running lights turn on your headlights, even on a sunny day. I've found that maybe 50% of the idiots out there that would have pulled out in front of me hold back because the lights seem to make them think twice before they pull out. Then there is still the other 50%........don't get me started on them.

I normally don't read the post after the articles and now I remember why. Has anyone else noticed how mean, critical and judgemental these posts are? Like...
Wake up you moron maybe the family hasnt been notified and this would be a horrible way to find out dont you think. Get a clue would you...or
"...because of some dumb a** driver who wasn't paying attention yet again... " we don't know the facts. Or,
""Witnesses say the driver of the vehicle drove through a red light". Nice. Driver error causes yet another deadly crash. We have a war on drugs and a war on terror (or whatever it's being called by the pubs) but we can't have a war on driver error - something that kills more people each and every year than all illegal drugs and acts of terrorism COMBINED. Way to go, America! Two thumbs up!" Take a flippin chill pill. It was a sad accident, not a national epidemic!
What about, "... and if you're on a bike PLEASE don't assume that the morons in the cars can see you." Nice Kim. I'm sure it makes up that you're PRAYING for the family.
Finally, this from Flanders, "...yelling at their prozac addicted kids....all while stuffing their fat faces with big macs and maybe text messaging too." Flanders, you have some real issues and I have two suggestions. First, if you are so disgusted with the horrible Americans, MOVE AWAY and do the people that are trying to make a positive impact on their country, neighbors and family a favor. We don't need the negative attitude. Second, run to the doctor and grab some PROZAC!!
Come on people, we can all do better than this!!!!

Is he the same Bill O'Brien originally from Saugatuck?

Juno wrote:

Actually, if the mC was traveling NB and the car SB turning left on EB Riley St, they both have a green light at that intersection. The mini van just failed to yield right of way to the motorcycle, they both had green lights. I also was there and witnessed the cops take the mini van driver to jail, said it was because he was illegal immigrant and ins was picking him up. No driver license!!!

INS is not going to pick him up for being illegal and having no DL... You are so funny.. Like the cops stopped by your window to tell you that. Sorry you looked concerned thought I would tell you he is going to jail for no DL and INS will be picking him up....Prayers go out to Mr. O'briens family...