Sunday, July 03, 2011

Predictable: Man Protesting Motorcycle Helmet Laws Dies in Crash

He'd have survived if he was wearing a helmet. Well, duh.
New York State Troopers say one man is dead after a motorcycle crash near McClary Road and Route 11 in LaFayette on Saturday.

New York State Police say 55-year-old Philip Contos of Parish was part of a protest against motorcycle helmets.

Police say several motorists from the group ABATE (American Bikers Aimed for Education) of Onondaga County had come together to make a point that they didn't need their helmets.

The group was driving south on Route 11 in Lafayette around 1:30 p.m., headed toward Lake Como, just south of the Finger Lakes.

Police say Contos suddenly hit the brakes and lost control of the motorcycle.

According to troopers, Contos was thrown over his handlebars and hit the pavement as his 1993 Harley Davidson motorcycle skidded toward the guardrail.

Contos was still alive when crews arrived at the scene and was transported to Upstate University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

According to police, Contos was not wearing his helmet, as required by law. Witnesses say this decision was part of the protest.

Police say that based on evidence at the scene and from doctors, Contos would have survived if he had been wearing a DOT-Approved helmet.

"The medical expert we discussed the case with who pronounced him deceased stated that he would've no doubt survived the accident had he been wearing a helmet," said Trooper Jack Keller.

6 comments:

Reaganite Republican said...

Somebody call Darwin Awards

Georg Felis said...

When struck from behind on a motorcycle, the drivers head hits the hood of the car so hard that even wearing a helmet, you can be knocked unconcious.   My condolances go out to the guy, but encouraging people to do something so stupid as to ride a motorcycle without a brain-bucket is almost criminal.  

So far the score in my immediate family is Lives Saved by Helmet : 3

rich b said...

I've been riding off and on since the sixties and always wore a helmet. Even when there were no helmet laws here in Kalifornia I always chose to protect my head. It isn't worth scrambling your brains just to avoid the discomfort of wearing a bucket.

Over the years I've broken my ankle, dislocated a shoulder, and suffered from a ton of road rash after laying down my bike in the dirt but I've never had a head injury, especially while riding on the street. I road an Enduro for years (1976 Yamaho XT 500) and value my brain above all. What a horrible irony this man had to die to disprove his own point.

Maybe this was a teaching moment after all. RIP buddy and watch out for cars making left hand turns in front of you ALL RIDERS.

rich b said...

<span><span>I've been riding off and on since the sixties and always wore a helmet. Even when there were no helmet laws here in Kalifornia I always chose to protect my head. It isn't worth scrambling your brains just to avoid the discomfort of wearing a bucket.    
   
Over the years I've broken my ankle, dislocated a shoulder, and suffered from a ton of road rash after laying down my bike in the dirt but I've never had a head injury, especially while riding on the street. I rode an Enduro for years (1976 Yamaha XT 500) and value my brain above all. What a horrible irony this man had to die to disprove his own point.    
   
Maybe this was a teaching moment after all. RIP buddy and watch out for cars making left hand turns in front of you ALL RIDERS</span></span>

Hard Right said...

A few years ago a group of base jumpers were protesting a ban on base jumping in a national park by jumping in defiance. They were warned by police that anyone who jumped would be arrested and their equipment impounded
Well, one lady didn't want her expensive gear impounded, so she borrowed someone elses before jumping. She died when her chute failed to open.

Hard Right said...

BTW, the ban was put in place due to several deaths that had previously occured.