Well some of you may have heard about a motorcycle/deer crash that happened to my friend in route too Spokane in 2004.
Here it is 2009. The Touring Club of Detroit had our annual Edmund Fitzgerald Run in Tawas, Michigan, November 6-7 & 8. The weather was perfect for riding. I of course dropped off the firewood and had to be back to work at the fire department so, I could not stay and enjoy good company of my family.
It was about 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. The group departed and headed to the eatery for supper. I was here at the fire station and recieved a phone call from a Tawas police officer. The officer stated that my friend struck a deer and was being transported by ambulance to Tawas St. Joe's Hospital. I was pinging! I could care a less about my friend's bike. I am concerned for my friend.
I am just devestated knowing that my good friend has struck a deer. What makes me feel worse is the deja vu involved. This is the same guy that struck a ten point buck in Idaho. Two point's for the deer, 0 point's for my friend.
Now this is why I support Vince's stance on helmet's. In 2004 when my friend struck the deer in Idaho. The first point of impact to the ground was his helmet starting at the forehead then the face shield and chin bar. Thank God he was saved by his helmet and quality riding gear.
My friend's second deer strike on Saturday evening was a near death experience for him. His speed was approximately 25 mile's per hour. The deer was a full size doe. My friend's first point of impact was the right side of his head. Upon the ambulance arrival, the crew found my friend unconscious.
Upon arrival to the ER, the staff immediately rolled my friend in for a CT scan. It was discovered that he was suffering from a bleed on his brain. The ER staff immediately had him transported to Saginaw St. Mary's Hospital for a neurosurgeon and more difinative treatment. My friend did regain consciousness.
The hospital staff at Saginaw kept my friend in their facility up until this past Tuesday. He is home and recovering. It was determined that the bleeding had stopped and that the blood on his brain was slowly going away. At this time my friend has some speech issue's and will need some occupational therapy. He also has a real nasty headache along with numerous contusion's.
Please don't let me disappoint you. This is my personal opinion. I must agree with Vince Winkel about his helmet stance. More than likely, I would have been attending a funeral instead of riding up to Sault Ste Marie, Ontario and visiting my sweety this past Wednesday.
Please keep this in your mind on the decision's you make on whether you wear a helmet. I have always stated that all of you are my family. If you have a choice, do the right thing and wear a helmet. You all look much better at a rally holding a cold beer, kicking lie's and telling tire's than being displayed in a coffin. I hate to sound like a nag or Father Goose. I care about all of you and Vince is right!
Take Care & Ride Safe
Pat Carol
Here it is 2009. The Touring Club of Detroit had our annual Edmund Fitzgerald Run in Tawas, Michigan, November 6-7 & 8. The weather was perfect for riding. I of course dropped off the firewood and had to be back to work at the fire department so, I could not stay and enjoy good company of my family.
It was about 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. The group departed and headed to the eatery for supper. I was here at the fire station and recieved a phone call from a Tawas police officer. The officer stated that my friend struck a deer and was being transported by ambulance to Tawas St. Joe's Hospital. I was pinging! I could care a less about my friend's bike. I am concerned for my friend.
I am just devestated knowing that my good friend has struck a deer. What makes me feel worse is the deja vu involved. This is the same guy that struck a ten point buck in Idaho. Two point's for the deer, 0 point's for my friend.
Now this is why I support Vince's stance on helmet's. In 2004 when my friend struck the deer in Idaho. The first point of impact to the ground was his helmet starting at the forehead then the face shield and chin bar. Thank God he was saved by his helmet and quality riding gear.
My friend's second deer strike on Saturday evening was a near death experience for him. His speed was approximately 25 mile's per hour. The deer was a full size doe. My friend's first point of impact was the right side of his head. Upon the ambulance arrival, the crew found my friend unconscious.
Upon arrival to the ER, the staff immediately rolled my friend in for a CT scan. It was discovered that he was suffering from a bleed on his brain. The ER staff immediately had him transported to Saginaw St. Mary's Hospital for a neurosurgeon and more difinative treatment. My friend did regain consciousness.
The hospital staff at Saginaw kept my friend in their facility up until this past Tuesday. He is home and recovering. It was determined that the bleeding had stopped and that the blood on his brain was slowly going away. At this time my friend has some speech issue's and will need some occupational therapy. He also has a real nasty headache along with numerous contusion's.
Please don't let me disappoint you. This is my personal opinion. I must agree with Vince Winkel about his helmet stance. More than likely, I would have been attending a funeral instead of riding up to Sault Ste Marie, Ontario and visiting my sweety this past Wednesday.
Please keep this in your mind on the decision's you make on whether you wear a helmet. I have always stated that all of you are my family. If you have a choice, do the right thing and wear a helmet. You all look much better at a rally holding a cold beer, kicking lie's and telling tire's than being displayed in a coffin. I hate to sound like a nag or Father Goose. I care about all of you and Vince is right!
Take Care & Ride Safe
Pat Carol
(but not bambi)
