Does anyone remember the crash and deaths on the Sunday Morning Ride, late '90s

Shotline

Shotline

Well-known member
So the gone but not forgotten thread got me thinking about an accident that happened in the late 90's (I think) on the Sunday Morning Ride.

If I recall correctly, three (or maybe 2) guys died in the accident. From what I remember, the lead riders were cresting a blind hill when someone passed on the right over the double yellow (yes they were going very fast). There was a Volvo wagon coming the other way and the guy that was passing was far out in the lead and glanced off of the Volvo and then he crashed but was not killed. The Volvo swerved onto the shoulder and then came back across the lanes and into the oncoming riders. At least one of the riders went head on into the Volvo and was launched over the car and into a dirt embankment killing him. Not sure if the others who were killed hit the car or crashed in some other way.

One of those killed was named Jim (don't think I ever knew his last name) and wore red and white leathers (I always told him he looked like a tube of Crest) and we all hung out at the Wall on Grizzly Peak.

This was pre-BARF but always wondered if anyone on here knew these guys or had ever heard of this event.
 
afm199

afm199

Well-known member
Guy named Lincoln was responsible. He was the only one in the wrong lane. He was passing three slower riders and went into the left lane on a blind hill to pass. The car coming the other way went to THEIR left to avoid him. And hit the three poor schlubs putting along. I knew one of them.
 
Shotline

Shotline

Well-known member
Ya, Lincoln, that was the guy. I remember seeing him hobbling around on crutches and pretty messed up. Jim was one of the other guys.


(First time I have had a thread moved TO general:laughing)
 
louemc

louemc

Well-known member
Shotline said:
So the gone but not forgotten thread got me thinking about an accident that happened in the late 90's (I think) on the Sunday Morning Ride.

If I recall correctly, three (or maybe 2) guys died in the accident. From what I remember, the lead riders were cresting a blind hill when someone passed on the right over the double yellow (yes they were going very fast). There was a Volvo wagon coming the other way and the guy that was passing was far out in the lead and glanced off of the Volvo and then he crashed but was not killed. The Volvo swerved onto the shoulder and then came back across the lanes and into the oncoming riders. At least one of the riders went head on into the Volvo and was launched over the car and into a dirt embankment killing him. Not sure if the others who were killed hit the car or crashed in some other way.

One of those killed was named Jim (don't think I ever knew his last name) and wore red and white leathers (I always told him he looked like a tube of Crest) and we all hung out at the Wall on Grizzly Peak.

This was pre-BARF but always wondered if anyone on here knew these guys or had ever heard of this event.
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I was a regular at the Wall, at that time, and I knew one of the three killed, and I knew Lincoln.

It was told to me, a little different. The three weren't going fast at all. Lincoln was, he overtook and passed the three, but they were all approaching a grove of trees, where the road dips and turns in the grove.

The Subaru was hidden in that, and Lincoln didn't see it or complete his pass in time (he shouldn't of passed in that situation). Not completing his pass, he side swiped the Subaru. The guy driving lost control and the Subaru went sideways, across the lane the thee bikers were in...and they hit the side of the Subaru like rapid gun fire.
 
Enchanter

Enchanter

Ghost in The Machine
Staff member
louemc said:
I was a regular at the Wall, at that time, and I knew one of the three killed, and I knew Lincoln.

It was told to me, a little different. The three weren't going fast at all. Lincoln was, he overtook and passed the three, but they were all approaching a grove of trees, where the road dips and turns in the grove.

The Subaru was hidden in that, and Lincoln didn't see it or complete his pass in time (he shouldn't of passed in that situation). Not completing his pass, he side swiped the Subaru. The guy driving lost control and the Subaru went sideways, across the lane the thee bikers were in...and they hit the side of the Subaru like rapid gun fire.
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I remember it a little differently as well. The first motorcycle hit the right side of the car due to the combination of the motorcyclist running wide and the car driver swerving into the oncoming lane attempting to avoid the impending crash. My memory indicates that the other three motorcyclists hit the car head on.

I joined the SMR a few times back then, and I have to say that I'd have a hard time believing that the riders "weren't going fast at all".

Link to article.
 

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i_am_the_koi

i_am_the_koi

Be Here Now
Small World...

Long before I was into motorcycling or ever heard of the infamous SMR, I lived in small town St Helena and knew the driver of the Subaru...

Wild.....
 
afm199

afm199

Well-known member
I knew Julian, that bunch may have been going faster than 55 but he was never one of the 135 mph SMR bunch. I quit riding SMR when I looked at my speedo once and it said 135mph. I stopped, turned around, and went home.
 
2strokeYardSale

2strokeYardSale

Moab on my mind
Yes I was there. Jim Rounds (Ninja 750), Brian Keown (VF500), both SMR regulars, and Julian Neff (Hawk GT), not a regular. Jimmy and Brian died instantly; Julian died in the helicopter.

Jimmy and Brian were two of the safest and sanest riders I ever rode with. Jimmy complained of getting ticketed by the CHP for riding sweep at 55 mph. He's the one with the white, red, and blue leathers.
 
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2strokeYardSale

2strokeYardSale

Moab on my mind
Right, and I want to re-iterate: Jimmy and Brian were not among those that rode above their heads or even rode fast. They rode in control and sedately and their lives ended horribly. And trust me, it was horrible.
 
EastBayDave

EastBayDave

- Kawasaki Fanatic -
Enchanter said:
That's not what happened.
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The way I understand it this Lincoln guy blew his pass, ended up on the wrong side on a blind corner, & hit a cage on the far left side (right side of cage), thus causing the cage to lose it & cross center-line, & hit head-on into the 3 riders. No? This Lincoln guy caused the whole thing right? This is why he served time for correct? I vaguely knew those guys from The Wall, & they were not maniac's IIRCC.

Event's just like this is what kept many of us EB riders away from TSMR. I only went on it a few times, but the (early hour) front runners were too fast/crazy for me w/the 130ish (in the fog) average. Seemed every time I went on TSMR, we'd end up picking someone out of the ditch/cliffside/cage. This is why I stayed in the East/West/Southbay most of the time myself until I went to the track....
 
OneRedLT4

OneRedLT4

Well-known member
I too was there, came upon it just after the accident, bikes and bodies still present. I didn't know the riders though. I recently threw away all my old VHS tapes, one of them had the news from that night (my mom taped it because I was the motorcyclist interviewed that didn't hit the cutting room floor). I also was caught (and eventually not held accountable) a year later in the CHP crack down in that same stretch of road. they had their plane out there and popping people for crossing the DY. It was the memorial ride for the fallen riders and I'm pretty sure the CHP was in the loop.

EastBayDave said:
thanks for the info guys.

to the younger riders reading: THIS IS WHY you don't cut blind corners. You can kill fellow riders & yourself. In this case he killed 3 riders...DON'T CUT CORNERS!!!
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It isn't a blind corner. It looks like a mild rise in the road only to drop beyond the rise. There is no indication that the roads bends just out of sight and you don't know until you're on it. It's not a "corner" by any means. After the accident I tried to get the state or someone to put up a sign, one of those yellow signs with the arrow indicating a turn, but no one ever seemed to listen to a "kid". There are many other areas along Hwy 1 that has them where you don't see the turn coming. :wtf
I haven't been through there in years, but I'd bet there still isn't one.
 
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