Motorcyclist Dies in Clifton-Area Crash
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/news-releases/2013/072613fatalcrashclifton.htm

Fairfax County Police Department
Public Information Office
4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Va. 22030
703-246-2253. TTY 703-204-2264. Fax 703-246-4253
FCPD-PIO@fairfaxcounty.gov
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police
News Release: 13/167/0147/sb/(1)
July 26, 2013

Motorcyclist Dies in Clifton-Area Crash

Sully Police District – Thomas V. Bowers, 25, of Burke, died on Tuesday, July 2, from injuries he sustained in a crash on Sunday, June 16. Officers were called to that crash, located at Clifton Road and Maple Branch Road, around 2 p.m. An investigation determined that Bowers was operating his 2002 Suzuki motorcycle south on Clifton Road, just prior to Maple Branch Road. A 28-year-old woman was operating a 2008 Scion north on Clifton Road. The Scion turned left onto Maple Branch and into the path of the motorcycle. The motorcycle crashed into the Scion.

The driver of the Scion, Randi Christine Thompson, of 2661 Avalon Court in Alexandria, was charged with failing to yield the right of way.

###

To request this information in an alternate format, call the Public Information Office at 703.246.2253. TTY 703-204-2264

Another bitch on a cell phone.

I used to do yard work at somebody's house just a couple hundred feet from there on Maple Branch. There's a speed bump on Maple Branch right there and it was funny because you could always hear people screetching then hitting the speed bump.

*screeching* that is, damn my writing abilities are going downhill.

" charged with failing to yield the right of way."

you have got to be fucking kidding me.

Calling Kilton Wrote:
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> Another bitch on a cell phone.

Another bro on a donorcycle...

Kilton Jihadist Wrote:
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> Calling Kilton Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Another bitch on a cell phone.
>
> Another bro on a donorcycle...


Another fuck face that hate's motorcycles.

rimjob Kilton Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Kilton Jihadist Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Calling Kilton Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Another bitch on a cell phone.
> >
> > Another bro on a donorcycle...
>
>
> Another fuck face that hate's motorcycles.

Another shit-tard who's just so fucking mad and doesn't know what to do because someone on the Interwebz said something against his precious motorcycling interests and needs to stay in his room...errrrrrrrr, parents' basement and wait for Mommy to come down and smother his genitals with marshmallow fluff while Daddy plays hide the nine iron in his ass and watches him lick his own shit off the end of it. Then they call all watch "Star Trek" together...

But what do I know? I'm just the guy who (and I quote) "hate's" motorcycles...sorry about your penis, faggot but I'm sure you'll find it on your two-wheeler though, won't you? Please let me know when you're planning on driving under a gas truck so I can be there to lick your blood...Ride hard, for Timmy.

Failure to yield ... should be manslaughter. You have so many shitty drivers because you can turn your car into a wrecking ball and just get moving violations.

Face it. Anyone who rides a motorcycle, particularly in this area with all the dipshit drivers, is either a moron, or they have a death wish.

Kilton Jihadist Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> rimjob Kilton Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Kilton Jihadist Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Calling Kilton Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > > Another bitch on a cell phone.
> > >
> > > Another bro on a donorcycle...
> >
> >
> > Another fuck face that hate's motorcycles.
>
> Another shit-tard who's just so fucking mad and
> doesn't know what to do because someone on the
> Interwebz said something against his precious
> motorcycling interests and needs to stay in his
> room...errrrrrrrr, parents' basement and wait for
> Mommy to come down and smother his genitals with
> marshmallow fluff while Daddy plays hide the nine
> iron in his ass and watches him lick his own shit
> off the end of it. Then they call all watch "Star
> Trek" together...
>
> But what do I know? I'm just the guy who (and I
> quote) "hate's" motorcycles...sorry about your
> penis, faggot but I'm sure you'll find it on your
> two-wheeler though, won't you? Please let me know
> when you're planning on driving under a gas truck
> so I can be there to lick your blood...Ride hard,
> for Timmy.


someone is not getting laid.

Fucking MD Drivers Wrote:
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> Failure to yield ... should be manslaughter. You
> have so many shitty drivers because you can turn
> your car into a wrecking ball and just get moving
> violations.


Read VA law. They can not charge manslaughter for this type of case. You want it changed, then call your local law makers and voice your opinion on the matter.

3TLLL Wrote:
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> Face it. Anyone who rides a motorcycle... is either a
> moron, or they have a death wish.

Concur!

> > Face it. Anyone who rides a motorcycle... is
> either a
> > moron, or they have a death wish.
>
> Concur!


Face it. Everyone dies, not everyone lives. I feel sorry for those of you who "live" their life based on fear.

The sight lines are very limited there at Clifton & Maple Branch. I'd bet 100 that deceased scooterman was running 70 or 80 mph through there. The lady probably started her turn with nothing in sight and scooterman suddenly appeared out of nowhere and BLAM. Dead scooterman. The lady should not have been charged with anything.

I live near there and it's a well known fact that the two-wheeled morons use the area as a road course and drive at ungodly speeds. Like all speedracers, two or four wheel, they are supremely skilled drivers U N T I L something happens that they weren't expecting. Then it's roadside memorial time.

RIP moron.

plip Wrote:
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> The sight lines are very limited there at Clifton
> & Maple Branch....
> the two-wheeled morons use the area as a road
> course and drive at ungodly speeds.....
> RIP moron.


True about the sight lines, and true about speed and the unexpected.

BUT she was charged, so it’s safe to assume he wasn't travelling at 80 mph. You can't assume he is a moron just because he died. Illegal left-hand turns in front of motorcycles kill more riders than any of the hooliganisms you describe.

plip Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The sight lines are very limited there at Clifton
> & Maple Branch. I'd bet 100 that deceased
> scooterman was running 70 or 80 mph through there.
> The lady probably started her turn with nothing
> in sight and scooterman suddenly appeared out of
> nowhere and BLAM. Dead scooterman. The lady
> should not have been charged with anything.
>
> I live near there and it's a well known fact that
> the two-wheeled morons use the area as a road
> course and drive at ungodly speeds. Like all
> speedracers, two or four wheel, they are supremely
> skilled drivers U N T I L something happens that
> they weren't expecting. Then it's roadside
> memorial time.
>
> RIP moron.

I totally agree. If the guy was running the speed limit and did some last minute braking, that accident likely would have been survivable. But at the speeds those sportbikers run, DOA.

Kilton Wrote:
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> 3TLLL Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Face it. Anyone who rides a motorcycle... is
> either a
> > moron, or they have a death wish.
>
> Concur!


Fuck Face.

3TLLL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Face it. Anyone who rides a motorcycle,
> particularly in this area with all the dipshit
> drivers, is either a moron, or they have a death
> wish.


true.
Attachments:

AMF rider Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Kilton Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > 3TLLL Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Face it. Anyone who rides a motorcycle... is
> > either a
> > > moron, or they have a death wish.
> >
> > Concur!
>
>
> Fuck Face.

AMFs are the safest motorsickles there is. IF it starts at all, all the oil will leak out after a few miles.

gufazi Wrote:
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> You can't assume he
> is a moron just because he died. Illegal
> left-hand turns in front of motorcycles kill more
> riders than any of the hooliganisms you describe.

Anyone who hits someone making a left turn in front of them isn't paying proper attention nor operating their vehicle in an intelligent fashion -- regardless of whether they're driving or "riding". I contend that it's that simple.

When a good driver sees a vehicle ahead of him preparing or waiting to make a left turn across his lanes, he keeps an eye on it in case it pulls out it front of him. He plans a "way out" so he can avoid a collision if this occurs (either by braking or swerving either direction). He does this habitually, along with 100 other things -- all of which combine to make him a good driver.

Now, if you're a "rider", certain things -- such as the left turn scenario as well as not parking yourself in people's blind spots -- are 10 times as important to you as they are to drivers because it's well-known that a lot of "riders" bite the dust this way. So if you have anywhere near the intelligence of the good driver described above (Highly unlikely given that you're a "rider" in the first place, but not completely out of the question), you'll pay extra special attention to every potential left turn happening in front of you. Do this, and you won't meet the fate Thomas Bowers.

I don't know about that particular intersection, but a lot of the roads around Clifton have VERY limited visibility. I could easily see how this could happen even if both drivers are attempting to operate safely. Sad all around.

Kilton Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> ...not parking
> yourself in people's blind spots -- are 10 times
> as important to you as they are to drivers because
> it's well-known that a lot of "riders" bite the
> dust this way. So if you have anywhere near the
> intelligence of the good driver described above
> (Highly unlikely given that you're a "rider" in
> the first place, but not completely out of the
> question), you'll pay extra special attention to
> every potential left turn happening in front of
> you...



Absolutely right about awareness! But some situations are unavoidable and we really don't know if this was one or not. We do know that the driver failed miserably.

Blaming the victim, just because he died, is plain dumb. Why don't we blame that kid who died who got hit by the baseball and died? You don't hear people saying "...stupid kid, doesn't know how to duck when a baseball coming at him ...or... people who play with 100 mph projectiles have a death wish...."

BTW, why is it "Highly unlikely" that most "riders" are unaware "drivers"? Those awareness skills that keep you safe on a bike, keep you safe in a car as well. After I learned to ride, I became a much better driver all around.

Kilton Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> Now, if you're a "rider", certain things -- such
> as the left turn scenario as well as not parking
> yourself in people's blind spots -- are 10 times
> as important to you as they are to drivers because
> it's well-known that a lot of "riders" bite the
> dust this way. So if you have anywhere near the
> intelligence of the good driver described above
> (Highly unlikely given that you're a "rider" in
> the first place, but not completely out of the
> question), you'll pay extra special attention to
> every potential left turn happening in front of
> you. Do this, and you won't meet the fate Thomas
> Bowers.


^^^ Don't you have a knitting class to be at?...Fuck face.

Send more bikers, they taste like turkey.

Signed,

The Worms
Attachments:

I swung by there today and didn't see any evidence of a crash. I did see some negro man on a road bike on Chapel Rd.

gufazi Wrote:
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> Blaming the victim, just because he died, is plain
> dumb.

Who's doing that? Not me. It's (at least) 50% your fault if you hit a vehicle making a left in front of you, regardless of injury/death.

Kilton sux Wrote:
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> ^^^ Don't you have a knitting class to be
> at?...Fuck face.

Teehee. Something upsetting you?

It's (at least) 50% your fault if you hit a vehicle making a left in front of you, regardless of injury/death.


That is ridiculous. If you have someone make a quick left-hand turn in front of you at any speed, no matter how good a driver you are, or what you're riding/driving, you have no chance...

Obviously you haven't received your learner's permit yet.

Seen this before Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> That is ridiculous. If you have someone make a
> quick left-hand turn in front of you at any speed,
> no matter how good a driver you are, or what
> you're riding/driving, you have no chance...
>
> Obviously you haven't received your learner's
> permit yet.

Sorry to hear that the principles of advanced driving that I laid out yesterday are above your comprehension level. But don't beat yourself up too badly -- you're in the majority. :-)

Kilton Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Seen this before Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > That is ridiculous. If you have someone make a
> > quick left-hand turn in front of you at any
> speed,
> > no matter how good a driver you are, or what
> > you're riding/driving, you have no chance...
> >
> > Obviously you haven't received your learner's
> > permit yet.
>
> Sorry to hear that the principles of advanced
> driving that I laid out yesterday are above your
> comprehension level. But don't beat yourself up
> too badly -- you're in the majority. :-)


all of this coming from someone who has never rode a motorcycle. What a chote.

Watched a guy on a Harley almost get taken out by a deer in the road last Sunday on Henderson there where it hood up to Yeates Ford. I was following him and he slowed donw to 25 (speed limit is 35) as he was going around that last turn to go up to the intersection and a deer was standing in the road. He locked up the back tire and the deer pretty much jumped out of the way and ran into the back yard of the house there on the corner. Bet he brownspotted his boxers.

If he wouldn't have been infront of me, that deer would have probably been in my windshield.

Kilton Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> gufazi Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > You can't assume he
> > is a moron just because he died. Illegal
> > left-hand turns in front of motorcycles kill
> more
> > riders than any of the hooliganisms you
> describe.
>
> Anyone who hits someone making a left turn in
> front of them isn't paying proper attention nor
> operating their vehicle in an intelligent fashion
> -- regardless of whether they're driving or
> "riding". I contend that it's that simple.
>
> When a good driver sees a vehicle ahead of him
> preparing or waiting to make a left turn across
> his lanes, he keeps an eye on it in case it pulls
> out it front of him. He plans a "way out" so he
> can avoid a collision if this occurs (either by
> braking or swerving either direction). He does
> this habitually, along with 100 other things --
> all of which combine to make him a good driver.
>
> Now, if you're a "rider", certain things -- such
> as the left turn scenario as well as not parking
> yourself in people's blind spots -- are 10 times
> as important to you as they are to drivers because
> it's well-known that a lot of "riders" bite the
> dust this way. So if you have anywhere near the
> intelligence of the good driver described above
> (Highly unlikely given that you're a "rider" in
> the first place, but not completely out of the
> question), you'll pay extra special attention to
> every potential left turn happening in front of
> you. Do this, and you won't meet the fate Thomas
> Bowers.

Very well said, a rarity for this forum. Outstanding.

Kilton Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> gufazi Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > You can't assume he
> > is a moron just because he died. Illegal
> > left-hand turns in front of motorcycles kill
> more
> > riders than any of the hooliganisms you
> describe.
>
> Anyone who hits someone making a left turn in
> front of them isn't paying proper attention nor
> operating their vehicle in an intelligent fashion
> -- regardless of whether they're driving or
> "riding". I contend that it's that simple.
>
> When a good driver sees a vehicle ahead of him
> preparing or waiting to make a left turn across
> his lanes, he keeps an eye on it in case it pulls
> out it front of him. He plans a "way out" so he
> can avoid a collision if this occurs (either by
> braking or swerving either direction). He does
> this habitually, along with 100 other things --
> all of which combine to make him a good driver.
>
> Now, if you're a "rider", certain things -- such
> as the left turn scenario as well as not parking
> yourself in people's blind spots -- are 10 times
> as important to you as they are to drivers because
> it's well-known that a lot of "riders" bite the
> dust this way. So if you have anywhere near the
> intelligence of the good driver described above
> (Highly unlikely given that you're a "rider" in
> the first place, but not completely out of the
> question), you'll pay extra special attention to
> every potential left turn happening in front of
> you. Do this, and you won't meet the fate Thomas
> Bowers.


That section of Clifton Road and Maple Branch is no where near as bad as the other end where Henderson and Maple Branch meet. In the summer, until recently, making a left from Maple Branch onto Henderson was wrought with danger as the corner sight line was overgrown and no one, State/County/Property Owner, cared enough to cut it back. I've seen the remnants of many an accident there, going south, the only way to avoid someone pulling out from Maple Branch is to run off into the trees on the right.
Of course the rich folks on those roads will never ever agree to have their property re done to allow proper sight lines on those roads, which is what needs to happen.

I live in Clifton and have called VDOT many times about sight lines being blocked. They don't care.

YOu really need to be extra careful driving in Clifton. Two lanes roads with curves are a bad mix with so many drivers speeding.

BTW: I avoid Maple Branch at all costs. It is too dangerous.

If there were cars in front of her, like in this pic, and if he were going above the speed limit (35 mph), it is indeed possible that she didn't see him.... that he came out of nowhere. I live off a windy road and we have lots of accidents, simply because people in little sports cars or on motorcycles come flying around the curves.

The house in the left hand corner has been for sale forever. I would never live on Maple Branch. It is a curse. I wonder how many lay dead in the cementary one block up just from this intersection alone.

When a driver turning left pulls forward enough to be in "their lane", then they can see who is coming towards them clearly. The problem that I encounter regularly at that intersection is with drivers quickly turning left cutting into the oncoming traffics lane. Another problem with this intersection, is if you are turning right on to Clifton Rd. your line of sight is obstructed by a utility pole. I also feel the other end of Maple Branch Rd. where it meets Henderson Rd. even more dangerous. The traffic barrels down Henderson, making it tough for anyone trying to turn either direction from Maple Branch Rd. The line of sight could be improved by eliminating a few trees, but all of that aside the real problem is perhaps speed. We can not bring back the people that have perished from these tragic accidents. We need to improve the roads and slow down, and practice safety. Anyone remember drivers ed.? And yes, I too am very sad about what happened to that young man. I will continue to pray for all involved. We all need to be careful out there.

Need to increase penalties for murderous car/van/suv drivers.

In the case at the link below, Margaret Luecke gets probation after killing a cop, who had his lights and siren on.

smh

http://www.wjla.com/articles/2013/07/margaret-luecke-in-court-for-chris-yung-crash-91370.html

-------------------------------------------------
“We don’t have any rude, unpleasant people here. We’re different!”

I feel bad that the cop died here. But he was going 80 miles per hour as stated by the accident reconstruction investigation. He was headed to another accident with minor injures. 80 Miles per hour, that's ridiculous.

Didn't see him.

Murder.

-------------------------------------------------
“We don’t have any rude, unpleasant people here. We’re different!”

Kilton Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Seen this before Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > That is ridiculous. If you have someone make a
> > quick left-hand turn in front of you at any
> speed,
> > no matter how good a driver you are, or what
> > you're riding/driving, you have no chance...
> >
> > Obviously you haven't received your learner's
> > permit yet.
>
> Sorry to hear that the principles of advanced
> driving that I laid out yesterday are above your
> comprehension level. But don't beat yourself up
> too badly -- you're in the majority. :-)

In 2011, 55 out of every 100,000 registered motorcyles were involved in fatal crashes. In the same year only 9 out of every 100,000 passenger cars were involved in fatal crashes. [ http://www.iii.org/issues_updates/motorcycle-crashes.html ]

I'll state the obvious. It's time to ban motorcycles from public roadways. They're a danger to their riders as well as to other motorists. They are difficult to see by other drivers & they lack any basic safety eqiupment (seatbelts, air bags, crumple zones).

Why should fire and rescue crews be forced to mop up a motorcyclist's blood just because he wanted to 'feel the freedom and the air on his face' at 60 mph?

Ponder this:

"Motorcyclists were about 30 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash per vehicle mile traveled in 2011 and five times more likely to be injured, according to NHTSA."

If the phrase "Toyota Corolla drivers" were substitued for "Motorcyclists", do you think the government would allow Toyota to selll Corolla anymore?

And while we're at it, let's get get the Spandex wearing grown men on bicylces off our roadways as well. You're not Lance Armstrong. You're just another goddamn obstacle.

A girl once gave me a HJ on Clifton Rd. It was nice.

Never going to happen. This is America. Land of the free to act stupid.

If we ban motorcycles we need to ban tobacco, beer, wine and hard alcohol.

Where would the ban end? What about soda? Fast food?

I don't want the gov't to tell me what I can and cannot do.

Even if it might kill me.

trogdor! Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> If the phrase "Toyota Corolla drivers" were
> substitued for "Motorcyclists", do you think the
> government would allow Toyota to selll Corolla
> anymore?
>

Spoken like a true liberal.

"I'm the government and I'm here to help."

-------------------------------------------------
“We don’t have any rude, unpleasant people here. We’re different!”

Iz Closed Wrote:
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> A girl once gave me a HJ on Clifton Rd. It was
> nice.


I never knew there was a hj on clifton road.
here is one out in Front Royal.
Attachments:

trogdor! Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> I'll state the obvious. It's time to ban
> motorcycles from public roadways. They're a
> danger to their riders as well as to other
> motorists. They are difficult to see by other
> drivers & they lack any basic safety eqiupment
> (seatbelts, air bags, crumple zones).
>


Fuck off, liberal.

Those monkey dopes :-)

What've you got against Liberals? What's a Liberal, anyway? You're probably more Liberal than you think.

Rim Job Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> trogdor! Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> >
> > I'll state the obvious. It's time to ban
> > motorcycles from public roadways. They're a
> > danger to their riders as well as to other
> > motorists. They are difficult to see by other
> > drivers & they lack any basic safety eqiupment
> > (seatbelts, air bags, crumple zones).
> >
>
>
> Fuck off, liberal.

trogdor! Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'll state the obvious. It's time to ban
> motorcycles from public roadways. They're a
> danger to their riders as well as to other
> motorists. They are difficult to see by other
> drivers & they lack any basic safety eqiupment
> (seatbelts, air bags, crumple zones).

Very well said. In addition to the motorcycles themselves lacking safety equipment, their operators also tend to lack reasonable intelligence (as well as body leanness). A deadly combination. :-)

All motorcycle riders have a death wish. No need to feel pity for them. It's best to let them kill themselves and purge them from the gene pool.

Rim Job Wrote:

> Fuck off, liberal.

Lolz. Keep riding your bicycle, tough guy.