Timothy Wayne O'Brien ('timotheus') - RIP 06/27/2010

[DarkStarr]

Motorcyclist killed in Ambridge collision




AMBRIDGE — A motorcyclist was killed Sunday afternoon after he apparently ran a red light while traveling north on Route 65 in Ambridge and struck a car that was turning at the intersection.

Police and emergency crews were called to the wreck at Fourth Street around 5:30 p.m. Sunday; Ambridge police Sgt. Jimmy Mann said the motorcyclist likely died when his sport bike struck the side of a car that was turning left from the southbound lanes of Route 65.

“Witnesses told us the motorcycle burst into flames upon impact,” Mann said. “The rider was thrown about 25 feet while the bike did a couple flips.”
Mann identified the cyclist as Timothy Wayne O’Brien, 50, of Hermitage, Mercer County.

Mann said three witnesses — including two who were headed north when the collision occurred — told police that the motorcyclist was riding at an excessive speed as he approached Ambridge from the south.

“One told me she was going about 45 when the motorcycle passed her like she was standing still,” Mann said. “The other was waiting at the light in the left lane — they said he changed lanes real quick to get around stopped vehicles and then ran the light.”

Mann said police were unable to check the motorcycle’s speedometer because it had melted in the fire. The bike’s license plate also had melted to the point that it was illegible.

Three people — two adults and their granddaughter — were in the sedan that the motorcycle struck. A man who wouldn’t give his name but identified himself as the son of the adults and the father of the girl said all three were shaken up but none appeared to suffer serious injury.

The car sustained major damage, though, to the passenger side door, windows and front side, and had to be towed from the intersection.

“The impact had to be hard to cause damage like that,” Mann said.

Beaver County Deputy Coroner Renea Esoldo said an autopsy on the motorcyclist would likely be conducted today; information about the cause of death won’t be available until that is complete, she said.

Source: TimesOnline.com

Thanks to Lost1888 for making us aware.

There is a ride being planned by SBA on 07/01/2010 to go to his viewing.

Details here: http://www.sportbikealliance.com/calendar/13944453/

RIP Tim, you will be missed.



Forum Profile: http://www.westernpariders.com/member.php?u=671

View posts by timotheus: http://www.westernpariders.com/searc...earchid=115766

Tim's introductory post: http://www.westernpariders.com/showt...3764#post13764

[dwninja14]

Damn, I heard guys at work talking about this accident but I didn't realize it was Tim. I had the pleasure of riding with him last year on a day ride that a few of us took to Foxburg. RIP Tim!

I am a little reluctant to go on the memorial ride. I really wish I could go , but I got a flat last week and now have a plug in the rear. I just don't feel real confident riding it that way and don't need or want to have the tire fail again.

[Lost1888]

I'm still trying to work things out to make it up for the viewing. I'll also see what I can do to make it or the memorial ride.

[jimmyc]

we ( sba sportbikealliance.com) are riding to the viewing to pay our respect, We will be putting on a memorial ride soon I can post that info when it becomes available. here is the info for thursday,

http://www.sportbikealliance.com/cal...&action=detail

[DarkStarr]

Jimmy, do you have the location and time of the viewing? I am doing everything in my power to be able to ride with you guys tomorrow, even if I have to call off tonight to make the bike legal, but if not I will be at the viewing for sure.

[Lost1888]

viewing hours for Tim are 6 pm to 9pm at the McGonigle Funeral Home in Sharon PA 16146

[DarkStarr]

Due to some bike issues, I had to regrettably break off from the group and head towards home.

While down at the station, I found out that due to an unfortunate series of events, that if Tim had been just a moment sooner, he would have cleared the car. As it turns out, he in fact did not run a red, but more or less anticipated a green and miscalculated his timing. The car that turned off of the highway had started after they either lost or were about to lose their arrow, and cut in front of Tim. Now by legal standards, the car had the right of way because they were already making way through the intersection, but those of us who anticipate lights will know how the logic plays out. Also, if he had been a 1/2 second later, he would have drilled into the passenger side door instead of the A pillar, and most likely killed the passenger. So either way, this accident would have been drastically different. My Captains daughter was at the intersection and saw it all go down. Tim entered the intersection on a green.

Let me disclaimer this post and say that THIS IS NOT AN OFFICIAL INCIDENT REPORT NOR IS IT TO BE REGARDED AS A LEGAL STATEMENT.

Also, due to the nature of the accident and the trajectory of Tims body, he would have been killed on impact and felt no pain.

[Cappy]

DAMNIT this pee's me off..... the worst sections for us riders are Red Lights and Stop signs.....

GUYS please never never think you can time a red light,,, or green unless your at the 1/4 mile track draging your bike.... so many things can go wrong....

some of the emergency services have litttle things like ez pass now and if their in a emergency sit. the light will change to stop traffic so they can get through safely... dont know if they have them around here yet but a red light IMO is the more dangerous place for us.

worst part is tim knew better.... was he drinking????? i mean the man was like me would push his bike to its limits but this just doesnt seem right...... he was to smart to have this accident.

[The Alien]

It would be great to get some involvement from WPAR with the memorial event that the SBA Leadership Team is starting to pull together. Please see the post in the Events/Meet/Ride section. Hope to hear from you guys.