A man killed in a motorcycle crash in Harrisburg last week died while riding in a funeral procession for a friend who died in a motorcycle crash.
Luis Arroyo, 21, along with many of his friends were on motorcycles following behind a hearse containing the body of their friend Gerald “Chucky” Soto. Soto was killed in a motorcycle crash on July 23rd. During the procession another tragic accident occurred, killing Arroyo.
Arroyo fell behind the group as they headed toward Paxtang Cemetery in Harrisburg, so he increased speed to catch the procession which had stopped, PennLive said. A westbound driver turned into a gap in the procession and Arroyo slammed into the vehicle. Arroyo didn’t have time to stop and slammed into the passenger door of the car at full speed.
According to a witness, after the accident the pastor and funeral officials quickly noticed no one was following. The hearse had to pull over to the side of the road and wait for about 30 minutes until police could clear the wreckage from the motorcycle crash, to allow the rest of the procession to continue.
Motorcycle crash tragedies are far too common. Here are some tips to avoid a motorcycle crash:
Always wear a helmet with a face shield or protective eye wear. Wearing a helmet is the best way to protect against severe head injuries. If you do not wear a helmet you are five times more likely to suffer a critical head injury.
Know your tires. Some motorcycle tires are tubeless and some are not, so it’s important to be aware of the type of tires you have on your motorcycle. Some individuals carry CO2 cartridge and a tool that allows them to give their tire a blast of air should they need it. Other must bring their motorcycle to a gas station if something goes awry with the tire pressure.
Leave a way to escape. Leave enough distance between you and the vehicle in front of you so you can get out of the way. Also, don’t wait at a light or stop sign with your bike in neutral. If your bike is already in gear can quickly maneuver out of the way of a car that does not see you stopped.
Be awake and ride sober. Don’t drink and drive a motorcycle. Not only are you endangering yourself, but others on the road. Fatigue and drowsiness can also impair your driving, so be sure to be alert when you are behind the wheel.