Our community has had a number of tragedies occur over the weekend. Italian MotoGP racer Marco Simoncelli died from injuries sustained in the Malaysian MotoGP. He lost control of his Honda four minutes into the race in turn 11, his bike regained some grip and swerved across the track into the path of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi. Simoncelli's helmet came off as a result of the crash, he was taken to hospital and died 45 minutes later. He was 24 years old.(Edwards needed to have his shoulder reset but was otherwise fine, No reports of Rossi being injured) My heart goes out to Simoncelli's family, friends and race team, it is a sad day for all involved and the only solace that anyone can find at a time like this, I believe, is that he died doing something he loved. God Speed.
The Love Ride in the San Fernando Valley was marred by two separate crashes. Two riders were injured when they reportedly crashed into each other, both are recovering in hospital. The second crash, which happened about an hour after the first one and in almost the same location as the first crash, saw a rider and his passenger die. According to the report in the LA Times, it is thought that the rider was splitting lanes and ended up getting run over by a semi. It is unclear if the rider and his passenger were trying to catch up to the ride or not. The Love Ride has been taking place since 1984 and has never had a fatality before. Again, my heart goes out to all who are affected. God Speed.
In San Leandro California, a para transit bus driver is in custody for what appears to be an intentional ramming of a member of the Hells Angels. The spokesman for the Hells says he feels it was a road rage incident. George of the Nomads is dead and 31 year old bus driver Eddie Hall who tried to flee the scene is in custody. For all who loved George, my prayers and thoughts are with you.
In PEI a 72 year old driver was charged with impaired driving and leaving the scene of a crash, according to the report, the driver of the van ran a stop sign, he got out of his vehicle, looked at the riders, got back in his vehicle and left. The rider was airlifted to hospital and his female passenger perished. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved.
Tragic news here in Grande Prairie that does not involve motorcycles but does affect the city I live in in a very large way. 4 members of the Warriors Football team were killed when a 21 year old driver crashed his pick up into the car the teens were in. Brendan Holubowich, 21, of Grande Prairie faces 11 charges in all, including four counts of impaired driving causing death, one count of impaired driving causing bodily harm, and failure to remain at the scene of an accident. Holobowich is due to make his first court appearance Oct. 31 in Grande Prairie. Matthew Deller, 16, Vincent Stover, 16, Walter Borden-Wilkens, 15, and Tanner Hildebrand, 15, all of Grande Prairie, were killed. The fifth and lone surviving occupant of the car, Zachary Judd, remains in critical-but-stable condition in an Edmonton hospital. Words escape me, I have done nothing but pray this morning for all those affected by these sad circumstances. When you add this news to the suffering that is going on in Turkey after a 7.2 earthquake it makes for a very sad start to the week.
I can only imagine the pain and heartache and I pray that those left behind find the love, courage and strength they will need to go on with their lives without their loved ones.
I find it very hard reporting on such sad incidents and am grateful for the rays of hope and joy that are out there.
In Pueblo Colorado the Toy Bowl was a roaring success with the Bikers beating the Law Enforcement team: Pueblo Bikers United 49, Law Enforcement 28. This flag football game is part game, part rally and part reunion. According to the Pueblo Chieftain: "The Toy Bowl, of course, is the annual "toy-raiser" to collect toys for needy families at Christmas, so there aren't any losers in this annual contest. It just so happens that one team will outscore the other every year. And then brag about it for 12 months." The article goes on to state that over 1160 people filled the stands and that over the 32 years that the Toy Bowl has been held the score is 16 to 16. It will be a Merry Christmas for many chidden as a result of the efforts of the two sides.
I pray for all who are hurting today and I give thanks for all who have reached out in love to help those who are hurting.
For the rest of the news that may affect your day, week or life, visit www.beltdrivebetty.com where we sift through the news, so you don't have to.
Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
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