Marijuana and alcohol are believed to have contributed to a crash that left two Milwaukee motorcyclists dead. The two men were riding east on McKinley Avenue in the early morning hours of Aug. 6 when the driver of a pick-up truck reportedly turned in front of them.
Surveillance video from a nearby building captured the crash. When the truck turned in front of the cyclists, it struck one of them. The other cyclist then tried to stop, but lost control and crashed about a block away.
The two men, who were 25 and 36 years old, died of blunt force injuries at the scene. One suffered severe head trauma. Neither was wearing a helmet. Under Wisconsin law, only motorcyclists under the age of 18 are required to wear them.
The 21-year-old driver of the truck, who is from Waukesha, was arrested at the scene and charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle. Police allegedly found open bottles of alcohol in the back seat of the truck and a marijuana pipe on the ground near the driver’s side door. The driver, who flagged down a fire engine after the crash, may face additional charges.
Motorcyclists are at risk of severe and fatal injuries when they’re involved in accidents with motor vehicles, even when they’re wearing proper safety equipment. A motorcyclist’s lack of proper safety gear, even if not required by law, could potentially impact the amount of compensation he or she could receive in a civil claim against the at-fault driver. A Wisconsin personal injury attorney experienced in motorcycle crash cases can provide advice and guidance.
Source: Fox 6, “Alcohol, drugs suspected: Charges expected against Waukesha man after motorcyclists killed in crash,” Katie DeLong, Aug. 08, 2016
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